Following the loss of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding for KSUT in 2025, the KSUT board and staff have been focused on sustainability of the organization. Amongst the established goals has been an increase in KSUT’s solar electricity generating capacity. When KSUT moved into the Eddie Box, Jr. Media Center in 2020, a 27-panel ground-mounted system was installed. While this offset some electricity costs for KSUT, we knew that we had the capacity to generate a lot more electricity from the 50’ x 100’ roof.
In mid-August, we realized our goal, when 140 panels were installed on KSUT’s roof.
This was done in partnership with Solar Barn Raising, a Durango-based non-profit organization, and with support from a handful of KSUT donors, who helped us raise approximately $76,000 to complete the project. At present, La Plata Electric Association allows for an array that can produce up to 150% of our annual electricity usage. As such, a majority of KSUT’s overall electricity usage for our studio and offices, as well as our seven remote tower sites, will be offset.
We are appreciative of our partnership with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and their collaboration in making KSUT’s dream of significantly reducing our carbon footprint while increasing our organizational sustainability a reality.