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TUCSON

Local firm will build micro solar systems

ABCO Solar, a Tucson- based solar energy and efficiency lighting company, has been chosen as the western United States assembler of the PWRstation mobile solar micro grid system.

The photovoltaic system can be deployed in the field and be operational in less than 30 minutes.

The assembly process uses an 'EXOrac' metal frame system that will be delivered to ABCO's Tucson assembly facility and then solar panels will be installed and wired, matched to an inverter that converts direct current to alternating current. The system is shipped to buyers throughout the Western Hemisphere and can also be joined with battery- storage technologies to provide a power source that is operational day and night.

'Each system takes two to four days to complete, and at full production we will be ramping up staffing to fulfill both commercial and government contracts,' said Charlie O'Dowd, president of ABCO Solar. 'If the PWRstation market grows the way traditional solar power is expanding, we could be a significant Tucson employer within a few years.'

Decline in gas prices expected to continue

Low demand and increased fuel production have pushed Arizona gas prices lower over the past month, with the drop expected to continue during the holiday season, AAA Arizona says.

This week, the statewide average fell by about 2 pennies to $2.36 per gallon of regular gas. Nationwide, prices shed about 2 cents to $2.45.

Tucson kept the state's lowest average gas price, at $2.25 per gallon on Friday, while Flagstaff topped the state at an average of $2.56 per gallon.

Arizona Daily Star