Radio station goes solar

SAN FRANCISCO
March 7, 2008 5:26am

Solar panels are being installed at the transmitter location of KGO Radio, San Francisco, to help offset some of the station’s power consumption.

The photovoltaic saystem is expected to be switched on later this month, a station spokeswoman says.

KGO operates day and night with 50,000 watts of power. The solar panels will offset just a portion of that.

The spokeswoman says the installation, while it will save some money, will be a visible reminder of the potential of solar power to the estimated 80,000 commuters who speed by the location near the Dumbarton Bridge on the east side of San Francisco Bay.

Work on the project has been underway for weeks, often delayed by rainy weather and the need to pour extra concrete because of the soft soil and high water table at the location.

KGO is one of more than 200 radio stations owned by Citadel Broadcasting Corp. (NYSE: CDL) of Las Vegas, Nev.