Why Arizona Businesses Should Evaluate Solar and Storage Together
Project Sterling in Mohave County illustrates how solar generation and battery storage can be planned as one energy system. ContourGlobal describes a design combining 450 MWac of solar with 360 MW / approximately 1.4 GWh of storage, with commercial operation targeted for 2028.
For a commercial property owner, the useful question is how generation and stored energy could fit the facility’s actual operating hours and power requirements. A utility-scale project’s economics do not establish the savings or payback for a warehouse, office, school or other business.
Start a site-specific review with 12 months of bills, your current tariff, available interval usage data, expansion plans and critical-load priorities. Compare solar alone, solar with storage and load-management options. Confirm interconnection, electrical infrastructure and any backup-operation requirements with qualified providers.
Funding update for rural businesses: USDA’s October 2, 2026 REAP announcement says projects must be fully built, operational and demonstrate performance before applying. USDA will announce application windows through annual program notices. Verify eligibility and current funding requirements directly with USDA before including a grant in your project budget.
Request a preliminary assessment through the Request an Assessment link to identify the questions your facility needs answered before choosing a system.
Sources:
ContourGlobal — https://www.contourglobal.com/sterling-project/
USDA, October 2, 2026 — https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/10/02/usda-issues-final-rule-comment-period-ahead-opening-application-window-rural-energy-america-program
