PHOENIX -- A Valley company purchases third largest private solar energy plant in Arizona.
Union Distributing (in conjunction with Solar Hawk Energy
TM) announced it will install two solar energy power plants at Union Distributing's petroleum bulk plant facilities in Phoenix and Tucson respectively.
This will be one of the largest, privately-owned solar energy installations in Arizona. Union's $1,600,000+ dollar purchase of the highest-efficiency, monocrystalline, photovoltaic solar energy system will reduce Union Distributing's electricity costs.
"It's actually going to knock out 85%-90% of energy usage," said Solar Energy Specialist Paul Koerner of Solar Hawk Energy
TM. "The rest will be supplied by the sun."
Union's solar energy systems will produce approximately 400,000 kilowatt hours per year. The benefits from the solar energy production to both the Arizona environment and the health of Arizonans are substantial.
"The solar energy produced annually will prevent the release of up to 800,000lbs of carbon dioxide emissions that would have ordinarily contaminated the air we breathe and littered the Arizona skyline," said Koerner.
Union's solar energy system will also preserve annually approximately 200,000 gallons of water that would have formerly been needed and withdrawn from Arizona's dwindling watersheds that currently provide the much needed fresh water run-off into Arizona's parched rivers and lakes.
Union Distributing is among Arizona's largest privately owned distributors of petroleum products including gasolines, diesel fuels, and motor oils. Union Distributing has supplied these products statewide since its founding in 1986.
The company's owners, David and Warren Lueth see solar energy as one means to be ahead of the curve in today's competitive environment. These projects, along with its use of hybrid vehicles in its sales fleet, demonstrate that Union Distributing is committed to Arizona's long-term economic and environmental health.
"After careful consideration of the financial analysis provided by Solar Hawk Energy, we decided that moving forward with this project is a sound business decision," said the Lueth's.
Salt River Project (SRP), Tucson Electric Power (TEP), Federal and Arizona tax incentives ensure that Union Distributing has an attractive return on onvestment by shouldering 67-85% of the incurred expenses and in addition, Union hedges against 85-90% of future expenses caused by imminent electricity rate hikes for the next
25 - 40 years.
"Arizona is our home. Arizonans are our clients, our neighbors, and our friends, and this project is needed for the environment, helpful for our economy, supports our profitability and it just made overall practical sense."
About Union Distributing Company: Founded in 1986 by brothers David and Warren Lueth, the company began operations in Tucson, supplying Union 76 fuels and lubricants. In 1990, the company constructed a new modern bulk plant, general offices, and cardlock in an industrial business park in Tucson.
In 1993, Union Distributing opened up operations in Phoenix and, in 1998, they moved into their state of the art new bulk plant, warehouse, and general offices on the west side of Phoenix in the Freeport Center.
The company employs eighty team members and operates a fleet of delivery vehicles from its Tucson and Phoenix plants. In 2008, Union Distributing was recognized by the sponsors of the ACE (Arizona Corporate Excellence) Awards as the 10th top privately held company by revenue in Arizona.
