City Commissions Largest Rooftop Solar Installation
Published on June 05, 2026
The installation at Ron Darner Parks and Recreation Headquarters is a major step toward the City’s zero net energy goal.
SAN ANTONIO (June 5, 2026) – The City of San Antonio celebrated the commissioning of the rooftop solar system at Ron Darner Parks and Recreation Headquarters today, the halfway point of the City’s $30 million municipal solar program and a major step toward achieving the goal of zero net energy for all municipal buildings by 2040.
Approved by City Council in November 2023, the municipal solar program is the first and largest in Texas to date. It includes more than 50 rooftop and parking canopy solar systems at City-owned facilities across San Antonio, with a total capacity of up to 13 megawatts. Once fully implemented, the City estimates the program will generate approximately $1.8 million in annual savings, offset 11 percent of the City’s annual electricity use and reduce municipal emissions by 18 percent.
“This project demonstrates how sustainability can be integrated into the City’s long-term operational strategy while also maximizing community benefits,” said Assistant City Manager Jeff Coyle. “It reflects strong coordination across departments, facility teams, procurement, finance, legal, our federal and state partners, CPS Energy, Big Sun Solar, and the staff who keep City services moving every day.”
Located in District 6, Ron Darner Parks and Recreation Headquarters supports the City’s parks system, which provides essential public spaces for recreation, wellness and community connection.
The Ron Darner installation is the largest rooftop system in the City’s municipal solar program and the largest rooftop system installed by Big Sun Solar to date. The system has a capacity of approximately 997 kilowatts and is projected to generate approximately $130,000 in annual utility savings.
“I am extremely grateful for the work of the Department of Resilience and Sustainability, Big Sun Solar, and all City departments that helped deliver the largest municipal solar project in the city,” said District 6 Councilmember Ric Galvan. “I couldn’t be prouder to have this milestone in District 6 at the Ron Darner building on Old Highway 90.”
The Parks and Recreation Headquarters project is part of the City’s broader effort to expand distributed renewable energy generation, reduce strain on the electric grid during peak summer demand, lower energy consumption in municipal buildings and demonstrate sustainability and resilience investments at public facilities across San Antonio.