City of Tucson Installing Solar Panels on 15 Public Housing Residences

Published on October 28, 2024

Fifteen public housing residences will be fitted with solar panels by Technicians For Sustainability (TFS) supported by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Climate Resilience funding approved by Tucson Mayor and Council. The $300,000 funding is part of the City of Tucson’s Solar Empowerment program.

The single-family homes are managed and owned by the City of Tucson’s Public Housing division of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

“We are excited to kick off the installation of solar panels on 15 of our single-family public housing units, marking a significant step towards our goal of making housing more affordable. This initiative, in partnership with Technicians for Sustainability, not only reflects our commitment to sustainability but also delivers real benefits to low-income families by reducing their energy costs, enhancing their living conditions, and promoting a healthier environment,” said Jeremiah Dean, HCD sustainability lead planner.

Retrofitting public housing residences with solar panels is an initiative included in the Housing Affordability Strategy for Tucson plan which Mayor Regina Romero and City Council approved in 2021. The solar panel effort also is part of HCD’s People, Communities, and Homes Investment Plan (P-CHIP), the department’s strategic plan for the next five years, the City’s climate action plan Tucson Resilient Together, and the upcoming Plan Tucson.

Residential solar installation is out of reach for low-income homeowners in part because of the lack of financing options. On May 19, 2022, the Mayor and Council directed City staff to develop recommendations to improve access to solar power for low-income residents.

The solar panel program will lead to a healthier, more resilient city by reducing air pollution and water consumption tied to power generation, said Kevin Koch, TFS co-owner.

“The City of Tucson’s Affordable Housing Solar Project marks a pivotal moment in driving sustainable change where it’s needed most,” Koch said. “By installing solar panels for residents who are often left out of the solar opportunities available to homeowners, we're not just cutting their energy costs, we're empowering communities that have long been left out of the clean energy conversation.”

TFS officially became an employee-owned cooperative, with 31 employee owners as of 2024. Tucson based, locally owned, mission-driven company specializing in solar energy and sustainable technologies for residential and commercial settings.

Another key partner in the Solar Empowerment program is Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc. (SERI). It works with low-income homeowners to establish eligibility for the program, provide grant funds, help with a loan application and establish the relationship with TFS to complete the installation.

Here are the links to the HAST Plan, Tucson Resilient Together, P-CHIP, Technicians For Sustainability, and SERI.