KXCI Rocks New Solar Panels on Earth Day

A Tucson company is rewarding non-profit organizations for their environmentally friendly values with the cost effective benefits of the sun's rays.

Technicians for Sustainability (TFS), an outfit that installs renewable energy systems and rainwater catchment systems in the Tucson area, rewarded KXCI (91.3FM), Tucson's community radio station, for their environmental awareness with a solar panel installation on their historic building in the Armory Park district. The installation is part of TFS's solar grant program, which offers full and matching solar grants to non-profit organizations within the Tucson community. To be considered, the organization has to be in line with our environmental values and working to enhance the greater good of the community, said Aimee King, community outreach coordinator.

The program is in its second year, previously installing a solar electric system for Arts for All and a solar hot water system for Southside Presbyterian Church. For KXCI, the full grant will pay for the installation of 22 solar panels, which will save the radio station $1008 per year at current electricity rates and $25,200 over the next 25 years. The extra electricity generated from the rooftop solar panels can be sent to neighboring houses and businesses for a credit onto their electricity bill, King said. The panels will also bring environmental benefits - saving 325 gallons of water, while preventing 700 pounds of coal, and 1559 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, during the first month of their operation.

"We chose KXCI because of the way they serve the community and because they have had an active recycling program for more than a decade," King said.

Technicians for Sustainability, founded in 2003, also lives and works by their environmental values. "What sets us apart is that we really practice what we preach," King said.

From little things like sending out notices through e-mail to conserving paper and using bio-diesel in their cars whenever possible and using their own solar hot water system, the company tries to take their environmental impact into account at all times.

On April 22, the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day, KXCI and TFS are hosting a celebration to honor the new solar installation. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Tucson community is invited KXCI's downtown location at 220 S. 4th Ave. to ask questions about solar energy and to see the solar panels in action and eat some solar powered pizza (donated by Brooklyn Pizza). From 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., KXCI will be broadcasting the celebration live on air at 91.3FM.