ABC 15
Brent Roulier

Click this link to play see ABC15's interview with Congressman Harry Mitchell

U.S. Rep Harry Mitchell, a former Tempe mayor and Democrat who was elected to congress in 2006, is on a mission to promote federal renewable-energy tax credits that are set to expire Dec. 31.

On Wednesday, Mitchell visited three Scottsdale businesses which have installed solar power. 

He toured the Vanguard Group, the Scottsdale Airpark office buildings and the Body Sculpting Center.

The Body Sculpting Center, located on the NE corner of Scottsdale Road and Oak Street, has benefited from the tax credits, which provide a 30 percent rebate to businesses and homes that install alternative energy systems. 

"Arizona has 300 days of sunshine a year," said Mitchell.  "There's no reason why this shouldn't be the solar capital of the world."

Last week, congress adjourned for its summer recess without extending the renewable-energy credits.

This comes as a major frustration to supporters of the bill, who fear that if the tax-rebates expire, so will any progress that's been made in solar energy efficiency.

"This is a bipartisan bill and it should be bipartisan," said Mitchell. "Our energy is bipartisan.  The mess we're in now isn't caused by a single individual or a single party, and anybody who says that there is a quick fix - they're not looking for a solution, they're looking for votes."

The Body Sculpting Center paid about $180,000 for it's solar electricity system.  However, after tax credits that cost was reduced to $40,000 and the company expects that to be recouped in just a few years.

The Body Sculpting Center's new system includes solar panels on top of the facility's roof.

The panels form a large grid that reduces the use of electricity, all while providing sufficient power.

Solar tube lighting has also been installed to conserve electricity.

When the Body Sculpting Center has a surplus of electricity, it sells the excess back to SRP.

To offset the cost of installing the system, SRP provided a sizeable rebate on this expenditure.

"The solar roof saves electricity while being environmentally friendly, helping to ward off global warming. We're just trying to do our part to conserve in the Valley," said Jaclyn Tice of the Body Sculpting Center.

In addition to the solar panels, the recent addition of the BodyNew MedSpa has brought a clear vision of eco-friendly design to life.

The sleek and modern landscape design outside the new facility not only reflects the beautiful renovations of the interior, it is also environmentally conservative.

By utilizing a xeriscape landscape design, which is landscaping that does not require supplemental irrigation, the use of water frugal plants help to minimize water usage and water waste.