The first phase of a large solar carport was completed last month at Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, located in Phoenix at 650 E. Indian School Rd. Built by SunWize Technologies, Inc., the carport is an ambitious undertaking. It is the nation’s largest solar carport, and once all phases are complete will house 40 carport structures and 18,000 solar panels. The first phase will produce 630 kilowatts, but once the project is complete, the carport will produce up to 4.45 MW of energy. The project started mid-2010 and the final phase is expected to finish early 2012. SunWize split

Students will be able to skip the university experience altogether and go straight into the workforce after attaining an education from an innovative new school being constructed in Glendale, Ariz. Image courtesy DLR Group A new aviation maintenance school in Arizona will help students proceed directly to the workforce by utilizing hands-on curriculum. The Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) Aviation Technology Program will allow high school students and adults to partake in two years of training in aircraft maintenance. They will be separate programs, but following the same curriculum. �We will have approximately 100 juniors and seniors [at a time],�

Maricopa County residents are breathing a little easier after Maricopa County�s Air Quality Dept. reached an enforcement settlement agreement with Dickson, N.D.-based Fisher and Sand Gravel Co. for $1 million over air quality violations. The settlement consists of a $650,000 fine and another $350,000 investment in an air quality awareness program that is still in development. �The truth is that the program has not been formulated yet,� says MCAQD spokeswoman Holly Ward. The department hopes the program will help prevent future pollution. According to a press release, the program will be implemented and begin outreach initiatives this year. �The tough