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As City of Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup accepts a Solar America Cities sign from Steven Palmeri, Project Officer from the US Department of Energy, Tucson will be recognized as one of the 13 US Department of Energy selected Solar America Cities for 2007. Also watching the exchange was then Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.
Through the program, $500,000 has been designated by the City and Federal governments for the expansion of solar power usage in the City. This partnership shows the commitment of governments of all levels to boost the solar industry.
Tucson’s solar potential and leadership in using solar energy helped it gain its status as a Solar America City. Through the program, the Federal grant is providing matching funds to those allocated by the City’s energy budget during a two-year period. The grant also created the position and salary for a Solar Energy Coordinator, Bruce Plenk, to organize Tucson’s solar energy efforts. In addition, Tucson is receiving technical support from staff at different national laboratories.
Cities in the program share ideas and resources to promote solar power. The program allows Tucson to increase solar capacity and awareness of solar power to lead the way for its residents and other municipalities.
Major Achievements in Solar Power in Tucson
Case studies for each City of Tucson Solar Site may be viewed in the 'Solar In Tucson' tab.
1999: Home of Council Member Shirley Scott since 1995, the South-East Service Center (Ward IV) becomes the first City of Tucson owned facility to have solar power and have green building principles incorporated into all aspects of design.
2000: Complement to the first PV installation the year previous, the dormitories at the Public Safety Training Academy (PSTA), which houses Tucson Police and Fire Department trainees, are the first buildings to use solar water heating.
2001: The El Rio Adult Education Center opens with roof-top panels. Operated by the Parks and Recreation Department, the panels were installed to power part of the Community Center with additions being made as part of the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBS) project.
2002: The Hayden-Udall Water Treatment Facility Phase I array is the first City of Tucson solar project to take advantage of the many large parcels of land in the metropolitan area. Owned by Tucson Water, a total of five phases are scheduled to inhabit the space.
2003: The Patrick K. Hardesty Midtown Multi-Service Center opens with solar panels atop the roof, helping power operations for different city departments including Tucson Police and Tucons Water. The Hardesty Multi Service Center also boasts a solar daylighting design for added benefits.
2004: The Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center becomes the City's largest solar water heating project, with 3,350 square feet of surface area for heating. The energy is used to heat the swimming pool while a seperate boiler heats the theraputic pool because of strict theraputic standards.
2005: The Pennington Street Garage becomes the first City garage to utilize solar power, becoming the largest single solar project within the City of Tucson’s facilities. You may track its usage and performance if you click here.
2006: The Arizona Corporation Commission passes the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST), opening the door to the expansion of solar power throughout the state.
2007: Tucson is designated as a Solar America City through the US Department of Energy (DOE).
2008: The Lee H. Brown Family Conservation Learning Center opens as Tucson's first LEED Platinum certified facility, with both solar pv and solar thermal. You may also track its usage and performance if you click here.
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