Project raising Funds to install solar panels


By Nick Smith
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Tuesday, October 18, 2005

An archway of yellow and orange balloons on the UA Mall yesterday signaled the beginning of the effort to install solar panels on campus buildings.

Clad in yellow shirts, representatives from the Associated Students of the University of Arizona passed out fliers and collected donations for Project Solar.

More than $110 in donations was collected from students and faculty, said Matt Boepple, a political science sophomore and ASUA senator.

All this week, festivities will be held to boost awareness for the project and to fundraise much of the $40,000 needed to install the panels on the UA Visitor Center.

"I think the visibility was really good today," said Boepple. "I hope it will remain the same for the rest of the week and the rest of the campaign."

Other events this week aimed to raise funds for Project Solar include a dunk tank tomorrow and a donation jar made available throughout the week.

The project's long-term goal is to have the UA become completely self-sufficient on solar energy, according to the campaign's Web site, www.uaprojectsolar.com.