Powering Arizona and preserving our land

For generations, the Agua Fria basin region has provided food, water, and livelihoods through ranching, farming, and hard work. Now, it can also provide reliable, homegrown power for Arizona families and businesses.

Longroad Energy is committed to generating power in a way that respects the landscape, honors local history, and makes this community proud to be part of Arizona’s energy future. We’ve committed to minimal grading, preserving open space and natural vegetation across the site. From start to finish, the Agua Fria Project is a long-term promise to generate energy for Arizona while taking care of the land that’s made this community strong for generations.

Agua Fria Solar Project highway view

Project information

  • Our Commitment to the Land

    The Agua Fria Project has been carefully designed to minimize grading and land disturbance throughout its footprint. The site is located on State Trust Land managed by the Arizona State Land Department. Our lease includes provisions to protect the land’s long-term value, including decommissioning and restoration after the project ends. The Project will contribute over $60 million to Arizona public schools as the beneficiary of the State Land Trust.

    Minimizing Impact

    • Only a portion of the 4,215 acre leased site will be developed. In fact, more than half of the project area will remain undisturbed. This includes naturally vegetated buffers, open space areas, drainage features, dry washes and visual screening zones. These areas will not be graded or fenced, preserving the natural character of the land and protecting local ecosystems.
    • Where development does occur, grading will be limited to what is needed for safety and equipment installation. We are strategically designing the Project to avoid steep slopes and sensitive soils, preserve surface hydrology and implement erosion controls, and maintain existing contours as much as possible.
    • The project is coordinating closely with Arizona Game and Fish on key open space areas, wildlife habitat, and fencing designs.

    Protecting Farming and Ranching

    • We understand the importance of this land to local ranchers and rural communities. Our project will not impact neighboring grazing land and we are engaged in ongoing conversations with the ranching community.

    Water Use

    • The Agua Fria Project is committed to maintaining the integrity of the watershed that the community relies on and will use very little water, especially compared to traditional land uses in the area. Solar panels do not require water for energy production, only occasional cleaning for optimal performance. This typically involves light rinsing once or twice per year, using non-potable or trucked-in water.
    • During construction, water will be used for dust control and stabilization as needed.
    • All water needs will be addressed in coordination with Yavapai County and Arizona Department of Water Resources.

  • Built for Yavapai County

    Our construction and operations strategy prioritizes Arizona-based contractors, creating local jobs and driving revenue into nearby communities.

    Partnering with you

    • Coordinating with Yavapai County Development Services, Yavapai County Flood Control, and Mayer Fire District on a safe and responsible design.
    • Sponsor of the Mayer High School Football Team.
    • Sponsor of the Prescott Rodeo.

    Longroad Energy sponsors Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo

    Powering Arizona’s economic future in Yavapai County

    • 300–400 construction jobs will be created during the buildout of the project, with an emphasis on hiring local contractors and labor.
    • A local operations and maintenance team will manage the project long-term, providing stable, skilled jobs in the region.
    • Over the project’s life, the Agua Fria Project will contribute more than $60 million to Arizona public schools through State Trust Land lease payments.

    Providing tax revenue to the region *

    • The Project will contribute over $34 million dollars in Property Taxes over the 35 year Project life (based on a solar + storage design, and 2024 tax rates).
    • A breakdown of the various entities that benefit from the taxes paid by the Project are shown in the chart below.

    Agua Fria Project tax revenue

    * Based on solar + storage design and 2024 tax rates

  • Decommissioning

    Arizona State Land Department

    As part of our Lease with the Arizona State Land Department and in accordance with Yavapai County’s solar ordinance, we will implement a comprehensive Decommissioning Plan that includes the removal of all equipment, grading reversals where needed, and reseeding with native vegetation at the end of the Lease term.

    Land Restoration

    • All solar panels, batteries, wiring, and foundations will be removed from the site.
    • Graded areas will be recontoured to match the natural landscape.
    • The site will be reseeded with native vegetation to prevent erosion and support habitat restoration.
    • Fencing will be taken down, and any temporary infrastructure will be dismantled.
    • A final inspection will be conducted by Yavapai County and the Arizona State Land Department to confirm the site has been returned to a stable, usable condition.

    Financial Assurances

    • A financial security instrument (such as a bond, escrow account, or letter of credit) will be established before construction begins, in accordance with Yavapai County’s solar ordinance and the conditions of the Arizona State Land Department lease.
    • The financial instrument will be independently verified and reviewed by the County to ensure it covers the full cost of removal, disposal, and site restoration.
    • Funds will be available to the County regardless of the project owner’s financial status at the time of decommissioning.
    • The decommissioning cost estimate will be updated every 5 years to account for inflation, market rates, and regulatory requirements.
    • The financial instrument will remain in place until all decommissioning and restoration obligations have been met to the County’s satisfaction.

  • The Process

    The Agua Fria Project is being developed in close coordination with both the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD), the Arizona Corporation Commission, and Yavapai County, following a clear and transparent public process. Because the project is located entirely on State Trust Land, Longroad Energy has secured a lease through ASLD, ensuring the project directly benefits Arizona public schools. Separately, the County permitting process is designed to ensure that community input, environmental considerations, and land use compatibility are fully addressed before construction can begin.

    Links to documents in support of the project can be found in the Supplemental Project Materials tab.

    2024-2025: Arizona State Land Department (ASLD)

    • The Project secured a commercial lease for the project site in 2024 through the ASLD, which manages State Trust Land on behalf of Arizona public education.
    • Lease revenue from the project, estimated to be over $60million over the life of the project, will be directed to Arizona’s public schools, providing long-term educational funding without using tax dollars.

    2025: Arizona Corporation Commission

    • In February, the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) was filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).
    • In March, the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee voted unanimously to approve the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) for the Agua Fria Gen-Tie Project.
    • The ACC voted to approve the CEC for the Agua Fria Gen-Tie Project on May 8, 2025.

    2025-2026: Yavapai County

    • The Agua Fria Project is working with Yavapai County to obtain a Solar Facility Use Permit as required under the County zoning code and the Solar Facilities Ordinance, which became effective in December 2024.
    • In August 2025, the Project submitted a full application package to Yavapai County, following a comprehensive design update to comply with the County Solar Ordinance and to incorporate feedback from the community and local stakeholders. The application is currently under review by County planning staff and will be shared publicly prior to hearings.
      Aqua Fria Project Map
    • The project is subject to review by County Planning and Zoning staff, a public hearing before the Planning & Zoning Commission, and approval by the Board of Supervisors.
    • The Project team has been engaged with local stakeholder groups for the past several years, including attending community meetings, hosting public open houses, providing Project updates, and offering Q&A sessions. Longroad is committed to engagement throughout the development and construction of the Project.

    2026-2029: Construction and Operations

    • Pending permit approvals, the Project anticipates start of construction in late 2026 or 2027.
    • The project is targeting commercial operations in 2029.

  • Supplemental Project Materials

     

The Agua Fria Project team is committed to open and transparent communication throughout this process. Please reach out to us with questions by calling 1.833.367.7889 or completing the form below.

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