Radio Stations Run on Solar

The recent price climb of gasoline and diesel fuel serves as a constant reminder that energy costs will remain a significant part of the budget for most broadcasters.

In some cases, fuel costs are changing the way stations operate, causing them to consider alternatives that were once too expensive or unconventional. At the same time, advances in technology are reducing the costs for alternatives such as wind hydro and solar power. We talked to engineers who are going off the grid to meet some of or all of their energy requirements.

Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar traditionally have been the option of last resort for broadcasters. Mike Bergey, president of Bergey Wind Power Company, notes that in the past, demand has come from customers at remote sites far from the power grid.

"When someone gets an estimate from the electric company that it will cost between a quarter of a million and a million dollars to extend the grid to their site, the capital costs of alternatives like wind or solar become attractive." He adds that companies that have to fly diesel fuel in to remote sites may also be candidates for alternative energy.

Bergey notes that there are more wind-powered sites in the West, where the penetration of the power grid is less extensive than on the East coast. That may start to change. "The rise in diesel fuel costs is causing more people to look at the alternatives. We've been getting a lot more calls and inquiries lately."...read more