The federal Bureau of Land Management’s Arizona office has 33 applications for about 60 solar energy facilities on approximately 452,519 acres throughout the state, a BLM project manager said.

Members of the Gila Watershed Partnership learned in a July 14 meeting why Arizona is viewed favorably for solar energy development and potential impacts to solar energy sites.

Melissa Warren, a BLM project manager, said proposed solar projects in Arizona include one near Duncan and one in Graham County. The latter is for a facility on 1,120 acres in an area southeast of High Mesa subdivision south of the Solomon substation.

Like several other solar projects in Arizona, these endeavors are proposed for private land that is surrounded by BLM land.

“I have yet to see a plan of development that is perfect,” Warren said, speaking of the need for the applicant and the BLM to address land use issues.

In her presentation, Warren said Arizona is viewed favorably for solar energy sites for several reasons, including the following:

• The sun shines 95 percent of the time in parts of Arizona.

• The sun in Arizona is more intense than other areas because of a lack of cloud cover and good air quality in many parts of the state.

• Many valley floors in central and southern Arizona are relatively flat.

• There is good access to power grids.

Warren also described characteristics of ideal solar locations, including flat areas of 2,500 acres or more with a grade of less than 3 percent.

In her presentation, Warren also listed several environmental concerns that the BLM analyzes when solar projects are planned. These include air quality, endangered species, cultural and heritage resources, water quality and quantity, soils, Native American concerns and recreational opportunities.

Warren said there appears to be less interest in wind energy facilities — only 13 applications are on file, and 11 of those are for testing and monitoring wind patterns.

“Wind energy cannot be stored and is not dispatchable (like solar),” she said.

Jay Howe, director of Safford Utilities and partnership chairman, said he expects a change to solar energy to increase energy costs to consumers.

“The days of cheap power are probably going to be behind us,” Howe said.