Tucson, Southern Arizona Show Signs of A Solar Boom

Following up on the article I posted earlier in the week UA Tucson Installs Solar Lighted Crosswalk. Today I came across this article in the Tucson Sentinel by Gabrielle Giffords, US Rep for the 8th Congressional District talking about the solar boom in Southern Arizona. Now it's not about solar lights specifically but it is about solar technology and projects being implemented so I thought it was interesting enough to pass on.

Several projects mentioned in the article are; Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Southern AZ VA Health Care System, homeowners, the University of Arizona and Solana.

Photo credit: kevindooley/Flickr

A parking lot at ASU is covered by an array of solar panels.

Solar is an economic driver in Southern Arizona, with manufacturers, installers, municipalities, universities, utilities and local, state, and federal governments all taking action to develop our solar industry.

In the first six months of 2010, nearly 1,100 homeowners installed residential solar systems with SunShare rebates from TEP. That is more residential solar systems than had been installed in the previous nine years in TEP's service area.

The city of Tucson, designated a Solar America City, has 13 solar projects planned – projects that will generate about 1.3 megawatts of power. Pima County has several solar projects completed and several more in the planning stages – projects that will save taxpayers about $552,000 per year.

The University of Arizona has a diverse range of innovative solar research projects underway – projects designed to make solar even more affordable and more efficient. The Solar Zone at UA's Science and Technology Park will generate 20 megawatts of power and is envisioned as the largest multi-technology site for solar technologies in the United States.

So there you have it. Looks like Tuscon and Southern Arizona are certainly one of the areas in the US that is leading the way with solar technology.

I'll be keeping my eye on Arizona and Tuscon and letting you know of other solar related projects and news.

You can read more about solar powered lights at my blog.

Thanks for reading, feel free to pass this along.

Talk soon,

Jill Olsen

UA Tucson AZ Installs Solar Lighted Crosswalk

Great news this article comes with a video news clip about the new solar powered lighted crosswalk just installed at UA in Tucson, AZ.

I was quite surprised when I watched the video to see WHERE the placement of the solar powered lights (that flash) are located. Never thought of this type of set up, but glad to know people are thinking outside of the box and doing things different than the normal way of lighting a crosswalk.

Hopefully, I've added the correct code for you to view the video, if not here is the link to the full article about the UA solar powered lighted crosswalk.

As always I'm just spreading the word that solar powered lights are being used more than lighting your garden and yard, and we all have to start somewhere.

Thanks for reading, feel free to pass this on.

Talk soon,

Jill Olsen