San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts

Solar energy is now helping to spark the creativity of the artistic community in West Texas thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Sun Club to the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts! The museum used the grant to build a much needed shade structure in its parking lot with solar panels for the roof. This unique structure not only produces pollution-free electricity for the organization, it also offers its patrons a much need reprieve from the Texas summer heat. The array was dedicated on the first stop of the Sun Club's 2013 Solar Road Trip.

The solar shade structure is estimated to annually generate 5,900 kilowatt-hours of pollution-free energy, helping offset about 5 percent of the museum’s annual usage and avoiding an estimated 9,600 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO₂) each year. That’s like not driving 10,600 miles! To celebrate the dedication of his unique donation, the Sun Club and museum sponsored a solar-themed art contest for area students. The winners were recognized at the dedication ceremony and their art work was put on display within the museum.