Tucson Standard

Fifteen public housing residences in Tucson will soon have solar panels installed, thanks to the efforts of Technicians For Sustainability (TFS) and funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Climate Resilience. This initiative, approved by Tucson's Mayor and Council, is part of the City’s Solar Empowerment program with a budget of $300,000.

The homes involved are managed by the City of Tucson’s Public Housing division within the Housing and Community Development (HCD). Jeremiah Dean, HCD sustainability lead planner, stated: “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... reflects our commitment to sustainability but also delivers real benefits to low-income families by reducing their energy costs.”

This project aligns with several city plans including the Housing Affordability Strategy for Tucson plan approved in 2021, HCD’s People, Communities, and Homes Investment Plan (P-CHIP), and Tucson's climate action plan named Tucson Resilient Together.

Residential solar installations can be financially challenging for low-income homeowners due to limited financing options. On May 19, 2022, city officials were tasked with finding ways to improve access to solar power for these residents.

Kevin Koch, TFS co-owner remarked: “The City of Tucson’s Affordable Housing Solar Project marks a pivotal moment in driving sustainable change where it’s needed most.” He emphasized that installing solar panels helps reduce energy costs while empowering communities often excluded from clean energy discussions.

Technicians For Sustainability recently became an employee-owned cooperative with 31 owners as of this year. Another important partner in this endeavor is Sonora Environmental Research Institute Inc. (SERI), which assists low-income homeowners with eligibility for grants and loans necessary for solar panel installation.