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Arizona Public Service (APS) Utility in Phoenix, AZ
In the heart of the American Southwest lies the city of Phoenix, Arizona. The history of Phoenix is a long and storied one, dating back to its founding in 1867. Today, Phoenix is a vibrant city of over 1.5 million people, and is the capital of Arizona. Also, the city is home to a number of major businesses and industries, including Arizona Public Service (APS).
The APS electric company is the largest electric utility in Arizona, serving over 2.7 million customers in 11 different counties. Headquartered in Phoenix, APS has been in business since 1884. APS in Phoenix, AZ provides electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout the state of Arizona.
APS also offers a variety of other services such as energy efficiency programs and solar power options. Further, APS is one of the primary suppliers of power to the Phoenix metropolitan area (the other being Salt River Project (SRP)).
APS in AZ is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, previously known as AZP. Notably, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation generated a profit of $500 million in 2017.
You can learn more about APS on their website at APS.COM.
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History of APS Phoenix
In 1884, the Phoenix Light and Fuel Company formed to provide energy and heating to the city. Then, the name was changed to Pacific Gas and Electric Company in 1906. Further, there was another name change to Central Arizona Light and Power in 1920.
APS’s stock price doubled throughout the long bear market of the ’70s, while paying a double-digit dividend yield. By then, it had become an electricity plus natural gas utility. 94.4% of the energy came from coal, 5.2% from natural gas, and 0.4% from oil. Also, APS was resilient throughout the early part of the 1980s, achieving heights of more than $255 million in 1983.
APS Service Map Phoenix
The utility serves about 65% of the Phoenix metropolitan area. APS Phoenix is found mainly in the downtown and northern part of the city, as well as north and east of the city. You can also see APS in West Phoenix in the ever-expanding area where new homes are built.
The APS West Phoenix Power Plant is located at 4606 W Hadley St, Phoenix, AZ 85043. This facility is a 255MW gas fired power project, owned 100% by APS. It is a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant that was built in 1976.
View below to see the APS service map for Phoenix:
Committed to Clean Energy
In January 2020, APS set a bold goal to provide 100% zero-carbon energy to customers by 2050. The goal includes a more-near-term 2030 target of achieving a resource mix that is 65% green. Further, APS hopes to have 45% of its portfolio come from renewable sources in 2030. Additionally, APS will eliminate coal-fired electricity generation by the year 2031, seven years before anticipated.
To achieve this goal, APS will take three courses of action. First, they will support policy decisions that help to establish a market for technology and innovation in Arizona that is appealing to investors. Second, they will use natural gas unil advances in alternative energy make it possible to provide service at a reasonable price. Third, APS will continue to modernize the power grid to ensure responsiveness and resiliency to customers.
The Arizona Corporation Commission
APS electric AZ is a public utility company and thus comes under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The ACC governs the quality of service and rates charged by APS.
The public service utilities are regulated monopolies allowed to earn a fair and reasonable return on their investments. Of course, what is fair and reasonable in any particular case is always subject to debate in hearings before the Commission on ratemaking. Generally, the Commission aims to balance consumers’ interests in receiving affordable utility service with utility’s interest in earning a reasonable profit.
The Utilities Division of the ACC provides recommendations to the Commissioners. They advise on issues such as public utility rates, utility finance, and quality of service. All rate changes must be approved by the Commission in an Open Meeting. The process from the utility company’s initial filing to the ACC reaching a decision is typically four to six months.
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APS Phoenix – Solar Programs
APS has Solar Programs that allow homeowners to utilize clean solar energy at their homes and save money on their electricity. There are two APS Solar Rate Plans once a customer goes solar: Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays Plan and Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge Plan.
The Time-of-Use Plan has higher usage charges with no demand charge. Thus, it is suited for customers that want to use their large electric appliances in the afternoon during On-Peak times.
The Demand Charge Plan has lower usage charges with a demand charge. Thus, it is suited for customers that can reliably avoid using their large electric appliances in the afternoon. Further, the Time-of-Use with Demand Charge Plan offers the highest potential for savings because of its low usage charges.
APS Phoenix – Rate Plans Before Solar
APS (Arizona Public Service) offers three standard rate plans for electric services:
- Fixed Energy Charge Plan
- Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays
- Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge
The Fixed Energy Charge Plan has a flat usage charge for all times of the day and week. Thus, it is suited for customers that want to use their large electric appliances in the afternoons and aren’t concerned with saving money.
The Time-of-Use Plan includes On-Peak and Off-Peak usage charges. Thus, it is suited for customers that want to save money and can manage their electricity use during On-Peak times.
The Time-of-Use with Demand Charge Plan includes On-Peak and Off-Peak usage charges. Thus, it is suited for customers that want to save the most amount of money by avoiding use of their large electric appliances from 4PM to 7PM Weekdays.
See our page on APS Plans Before Solar for more detailed information.
Buy Back Rate
The Buy Back Rate is the rate at which APS customers are credited for sending electricity to the utility grid. APS installs a second meter at every home that goes solar in order to measure the amount of electricity sent to to the utility grid.
Exported energy is measured by the kilowatt-hour (kWh). Customers receive a credit on their electric bill each month for the amount of kilowatt-hours they sent to the grid that month.
APS Contact Information
APS Arizona Address:
Arizona Public Service Company
400 N 5th St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
APS Phone Number in Phoenix, AZ: (602) 371-7171
APS Email Address: aps@aps.com
Additional Solar Education on APS
View our website pages below for additional solar education on APS: