Solar Electric Supply, Inc. (SES) and P&R Technologies are expanding their participation in the Ten West Link 500kV Transmission Line Project, a key infrastructure effort aimed at improving power reliability and enabling renewable energy integration across Arizona and California. After initially delivering 110 MAPPS solar obstruction utility LED lighting systems in early 2023, the project has now ordered an additional 15 systems, bringing the total to 125. The Ten West Link project, sponsored by DCR Transmission, will connect multiple large solar farms to a 500kW transmission line stretching from the Delaney Substation in Arizona to the Colorado River 500 kV bus in California, owned by Arizona Public Service (APS) and Southern California Edison (SCE) respectively.
Parker Osgood, a representative from P&R Technologies, highlighted the importance of SES's contribution, stating that working with Solar Electric Supply has been instrumental in keeping the project on track. SES has supplied their MAPPS Model MAPPS-400-324-24-120, a custom 400-watt solar system with a 324 amp-hour sealed gel battery and a 120 VAC sine wave inverter. These USA-made systems meet Buy America and ARRA requirements and include remote wireless monitoring capabilities, which are essential for this application. SES has also provided on-site training for installation contractors to ensure efficient deployment.
The project's success results from collaboration between SES, P&R Technologies, Irby (a Sonepar subsidiary specializing in electrical distribution to the utility industry), and DCR Transmission. The new transmission line is expected to generate significant cost savings for ratepayers, with utilities projected to save millions annually due to increased access to power markets. The economic impact of the Ten West Link project extends beyond cost savings, as renewable energy developers have submitted nearly 5,000 MW of interconnection requests, promising economic opportunities and thousands of jobs for rural Arizona communities hosting new solar generation resources.
The project's importance was emphasized by Vice President Kamala Harris, who spoke at its groundbreaking event in Tonopah, Arizona, on January 23, 2023. Vice President Harris noted the project's role in addressing the climate crisis and creating jobs, stating that the Ten West Link transmission line will deliver electricity from wind and solar farms in the desert to cities like Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Diego, as well as to rural communities such as Blythe and Quartzsite, providing clean electricity. As the Ten West Link project advances, the increased support from Solar Electric Supply and P&R Technologies reflects a continued commitment to strengthening the nation's renewable energy infrastructure, contributing to reliable power transmission and supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy future in the southwestern United States.
