Ameresco and City of Chandler Break Ground on Major Solar Initiative to Strengthen Energy Security and Cut Utility Costs
Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), a leading provider of clean energy and infrastructure optimization solutions, has officially broken ground on a landmark solar initiative for the City of Chandler. The project, which represents one of the most comprehensive municipal solar deployments in the region, is designed to bolster long-term energy security, reduce escalating utility expenditures, and propel the city toward its sustainability objectives. By installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across 22 municipal facilities, Chandler is positioning itself as a model for cities seeking resilient, efficient, and fiscally responsible clean energy strategies.
At the core of the initiative is a diverse and highly optimized solar portfolio totaling 7.74 MW-DC / 5.85 MW-AC, engineered to generate more than 14.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. This level of production is expected to offset more than 60 percent of the yearly electricity consumption for the participating facilities, directly cutting the city’s reliance on external power markets. With utility costs rising statewide and across the region, the project is projected to deliver more than $1 million in annual utility savings, offering immediate financial relief while also delivering long-term environmental and operational benefits. A portion of the total project cost will be covered through the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), helping make the implementation more affordable for Chandler taxpayers.
According to Steven Turner, Sustainability & Performance Officer for the City of Chandler, the overarching challenge was to create a strategy that reduced the city’s energy spending and environmental impact without disrupting ongoing municipal services. “Our challenge was to reduce the City’s energy spend and environmental footprint without compromising day-to-day operations,” Turner said. “Partnering with Ameresco enables us to meet that goal by deploying right-sized solar across 22 facilities, cutting annual utility costs, and offsetting electricity use.” Turner emphasized that the city’s focus was on developing a comprehensive, scalable solution rather than implementing one-off solar installations, ensuring the initiative delivers sustained economic and environmental value.
The portfolio features a strategic mix of system types—each carefully matched to the operational needs, spatial constraints, and energy profiles of various municipal assets. Many city buildings, including high-traffic public facilities, will receive new covered parking structures topped with solar panels. These solar canopies not only generate renewable energy but also enhance visitor and employee experience by providing shaded parking and mitigating heat during Arizona’s intense summers. Additional rooftop-mounted systems will be deployed on smaller facilities where space is limited yet energy demand remains substantial. Meanwhile, the city’s water treatment infrastructure—including the Airport Water Reclamation Facility—will host large-scale ground-mounted PV arrays, utilizing open land to accommodate higher capacity systems with single-axis tracking for improved energy capture.
Notable buildings in the solar portfolio include City Hall, Chandler Nature Center, Sunset Library, and several fire and public safety stations. Each system type―whether canopy, rooftop, or ground-mount―was selected after a detailed assessment of load profiles, site conditions, and long-term maintenance considerations. This breadth of design diversity ensures Chandler can maximize on-site energy generation while mitigating risks associated with volatile utility rates and future market fluctuations.
Lou Maltezos, Ameresco’s President of Central & Western USA and Canada Regions, highlighted the City of Chandler’s strategic approach to the initiative. “Chandler’s objective was to take advantage of their excellent solar resources while delivering meaningful utility savings across their facilities citywide,” Maltezos said. “By tailoring canopy, rooftop, and single-axis tracking systems to each site, we are helping the City of Chandler secure reliable, long-term renewable energy and reduce exposure to unpredictable utility costs.” Maltezos noted that combining multiple PV system types into one coordinated municipal portfolio illustrates how cities can leverage solar not just as a sustainability tool, but as a financial and operational resilience strategy.
This project also marks an important milestone in the city’s broader sustainability and energy management framework. As the new systems come online, Chandler expects to see steady progress toward meeting core sustainability targets, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy independence, and improved resource efficiency across municipal operations. The project also supports community-wide environmental commitments, aligning with broader state and national goals for carbon reduction and renewable energy deployment.
The Federal Investment Tax Credit for Renewable Energy plays an important role in the project’s feasibility, allowing Chandler to capture federal incentives to reduce upfront capital expenses. These cost savings, paired with Ameresco’s design-build delivery method, enable the city to implement a large-scale solar program with minimized financial barriers and enhanced predictability in long-term operating costs. Ameresco’s experience in delivering integrated energy solutions for municipalities ensures the project’s technical, financial, and operational considerations remain aligned from groundbreaking through commissioning.
Construction activities are already underway and will continue through multiple phases across the city’s 22 identified sites. With the project scheduled for completion in 2026, Chandler residents can expect to see incremental benefits year over year as individual systems come online. Once fully completed, the portfolio will serve as a cornerstone of Chandler’s energy future—one that is cleaner, more resilient, and economically advantageous.
By taking this comprehensive and forward-looking approach, the City of Chandler and Ameresco are demonstrating how municipalities can utilize solar energy not only as an environmental commitment but as a practical tool for financial prudence and operational stability. As cities nationwide look for solutions to rising utility costs and greater energy uncertainty, Chandler’s initiative stands out as a replicable and impactful model for municipal clean energy transformation.
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