SAN ANTONIO – Exciting news from the heart of Texas as construction kicks off on the largest municipal solar project in the state. The City of San Antonio is leading the charge in sustainable energy with a groundbreaking initiative that aims to set a national example for rooftop solar generation.
The city council approved the $30 million project in November 2023, signaling a significant step towards achieving a net-zero capacity for all municipal buildings by 2040. This ambitious goal is outlined in the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, highlighting San Antonio’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed his excitement, stating, “This initiative sets a national example for an innovative approach in expanding rooftop solar through municipal building installation. Collectively, the municipal rooftop projects will offset an estimated 11% of the City’s electricity consumption from its buildings, significantly boosting our sustainability efforts.”
The project will see the installation of 42 rooftop, parking, and park canopy solar systems at various city facilities, marking a significant milestone in San Antonio’s journey towards a greener future.
Chief Sustainability Officer Douglas Melnick added, “Sunshine is abundant in San Antonio, and it’s exciting to harness that to bring about climate action and financial savings for our City. This project is just one of the many programs and initiatives to help us reach our net-zero goal outlined in the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.”
With six of the 42 projects already underway, the City is making steady progress towards a more sustainable future. These efforts were celebrated at a community event and commissioning ceremony hosted at the Southwest Service Center, highlighting the impact of solar canopies in providing covered parking spaces for City employees.
The 653kW system at the Southwest Service Center is expected to offset approximately 70% of the facility’s annual electricity consumption, a significant achievement in the City’s renewable energy initiatives.
Big Sun Solar is at the forefront of developing this program through a service agreement with the city, showcasing a strong public-private partnership in driving sustainable energy solutions.
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