Shining Bright in the Desert: Solar Energy in Arizona E44
With over 300 sunny days per year, it’s no secret that Arizona has plenty of sunshine. Overall, Arizona ranks second in the nation in solar energy potential and ranks among the top five states in the nation in total solar-powered generating capacity from both utility- and small-scale installations. In the quest for increased clean energy sources, solar provides tremendous opportunities for the state. On the flip side, challenges and hurdles remain.
This episode sheds light on solar energy in Arizona and how three key organizations are working to initiate solar technology progress and advocacy across the state. The Arizona Technology Council was joined by experts from Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association, Solar United Neighbors and Array Technologies as they shared the challenges, wins, setbacks and opportunities that solar energy presents for both businesses and individuals across Arizona.
AriSEIA’s mission is to develop and support policies that create opportunities to advance Arizona’s economy through solar energy, storage, and electrification. AriSEIA advocates for sustainable job creation in deployment of solar and complementary technologies, and collaborates with stakeholders to encourage utilization of Arizona’s greatest natural resource: the sun.
AriSEIA’s Executive Director, Autumn T. Johnson, is a proud clean energy advocate, and is dedicated to advancing AriSEIA’s mission and growing our organization.
Autumn has 16 years of experience in environmental law and policy, including 7 years in energy. She is the CEO of Tierra Strategy, a public interest policy advocacy and consulting firm. Autumn is an Arizona native and started her career with the State of Arizona as a social worker.
Following her time with the State, Autumn was compelled to attend law school and has been passionate about the environmental and energy space ever since. She was the Government Affairs Manager and Energy Policy Analyst for Western Resource Advocates, the Assistant Director of the Energy Policy Institute at Boise State University, and an adjunct professor teaching energy and agricultural law at Concordia University School of Law. Prior to these roles, she was a practicing attorney in Seattle, focusing on small businesses and nonprofits.
Driven by a personal mission to advance the public interest, Autumn’s work focuses on advancing clean energy, moving the power sector away from fossil-fueled resources, transportation electrification, and developing regulatory and statutory mechanisms to address climate change.
Autumn has a BA from the University of Arizona, a JD from the University of Oregon, an MBA from Seattle University, and was a PhD Candidate in Public Policy at Boise State University (all but dissertation), where she also received her MPA.
She also serves as AriSEIA’s General Counsel.
Connect with Autumn on LinkedIn and Twitter.
ARRAY is a renewable energy company providing time-proven utility-scale solar tracking solutions. The company delivers optimal project returns and value to developers and EPCs, focusing on reliability, ease of installation, extreme weather risk mitigation, and fewer components.
Their flagship product, DuraTrack®, has earned a winning reputation within the solar industry as the most reliable and efficient solution for utility-scale projects. ARRAY’s global reach, locally-focused sourcing solutions and business practices now include the STI H250 and the newest tracker on the market, OmniTrack™. This suite of products extends ARRAY’s target applications and bankability to deliver the best utility-scale solar tracker solutions in the market.
Colleen Mahoney is the Vice President of Product Management at Array Technologies, where she spearheads growth by steering product strategy and managing the product lifecycle. Since joining in June 2022, she has utilized market-driven insights to hone Array’s product offerings, enhancing both organic growth and financial outcomes through innovative software and service solutions.
Prior to Array, Colleen’s 19-year tenure at Honeywell saw her in diverse roles, significantly impacting both the Aerospace and Building Technologies sectors. Her accomplishments include leadership in sales excellence, driving global sales and marketing initiatives, and managing product direction for multi-billion-dollar business units.
Colleen’s foundation in finance and marketing is underpinned by an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in both fields from the W.P. Carey School of Business. She also holds a Certification in Product Management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.
Connect with Colleen on LinkedIn and follow ARRAY on Instagram.
Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit that represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters across the country. SUN’s mission is to help people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights.
As the Arizona Program Director, Adrian Keller leads efforts to expand rooftop solar in the state through solar co-ops, community education, and policy campaigns. He is deeply passionate about solar energy and its ability to lower costs and improve quality of life for Arizona families.
He comes to Solar United Neighbors with a background in public policy and municipal government. Adrian lives in Phoenix and holds a Master of Sustainability Solutions from Arizona State University.
Follow Solar United Neighbors on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Your Hosts
Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.
Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.
Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.
Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.
Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.
In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.
Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.
Leslie Cooper Marquez is a dynamic marketing professional with over 17 years of broad-based marketing, public relations and advertising experience in both in-house and agency environments.
Originally from Birmingham, AL, Leslie has honed her expertise across diverse sectors, including non-profit performing arts, legal marketing, mortgage technology, and residential mortgage marketing.
Leslie has been an integral part of the Arizona community for the past 5 years. Most recently, she served as the Marketing Director for Scottsdale-based mortgage technology firm, focusIT, Inc., and previously as the Director of Marketing for Ballet Arizona.
Beyond her professional commitments, Leslie is an active member of the community. She serves as a Sustainer with the Junior League of Phoenix, volunteers with the Distinguished Young Women of Arizona scholarship program and is an alumna of the esteemed Valley Leadership Accelerate class of 2019.
In her spare time, Leslie shares her passion for fitness as a dedicated barre instructor at TenPoint5 Central. Above all, she cherishes her roles as a devoted mother to a young son and a loving wife to her husband, David.
About Our Sponsor
The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.
A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.
Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
