Here it is, your (brief and slightly belated) moment of solar power…

Salt River Project (SRP) is looking for a few good solar energy projects, via Phoenix Business Journal. The Arizona utility has issued a request for proposals to help meet a 2012 goal of 50 megawatts’ worth of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.

Also in Arizona solar news, a growing number of Yuma business owners are installing solar panels to save money and cut emissions, via the Yuma Sun. Some businesses are getting shaded parking, to boot, which is a hot commodity — particularly during the summer months. (It was 106 degrees in Yuma today.)

Pacific Gas & Electric, the large California utility, will be permitted by the state’s Public Utilities Commission buy electricity from a 290-megawatt solar energy installation in Arizona, via SunPluggers. The Agua Caliente Solar Project is being developed in the southwestern part of Arizona in Yuma County.

Eric Savitz of Barron’s relays news of some notable changes in analyst opinions vis-à-vis solar energy stocks. A slew of solar-panel makers are mentioned, including SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWRA), First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR), SolarFun (NASDAQ:SOLF), Suntech (NYSE:STP), LDK Solar (NYSE:LDK) and JA Solar (NASDAQ:JASO).

In Pennsylvania solar news, installers are urging the state’s representatives to vote for House Bill 2405, a bit of legislation that could, in effect, increase the value of solar energy renewable energy credits (SRECs), which homeowners and businesses can generate by installing solar electric systems.

For each 1,000 kilowatt hour shortfall, the fee, called an alternative compliance payment, would be $450 in 2011, and decline 3% percent annually. In addition, HB 2405 would enhance the role that Alternate Energy Credits would play in helping finance renewable energy projects. A solar system earns one Alternate Energy Credit for each 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity it generates. Those credits can be sold for cash, in some cases in advance based on projected generation to help defray up-front installation costs.

Passage of the bill could help maintain demand for solar energy in Pennsylvania. The House is expected to vote tomorrow.

Finally, today — what’s new on the solar energy scene in Los Angeles? Be sure check out this story about a high school student who raised almost $6,000 to help get his Thousand Oaks school a 6.3 kilowatt solar panel installation.