City Advances Municipal Energy Efficiency with $30 Million Solar Plan
Published on February 12, 2025
Commissioning event celebrates new milestone.
SAN ANTONIO (February 12, 2025) – The largest on-site solar program by a local Texas government is currently under construction in San Antonio, with thirteen of the 42 municipal projects already commissioned. The $30 million initiative involves the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar canopy shade structures at various City-owned facilities, moving San Antonio closer to its 2040 goal of achieving zero net energy for all municipal buildings.
"One of our key municipal strategies is to reduce building energy consumption for all municipal buildings by 2040. With this installation and the future completed sites, we are making significant strides toward that goal," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said."These solar PV installations will not only help us improve our municipal building energy efficiency but also result in cost savings, shade and weather protection, and local jobs."
On February 12, the City hosted a commissioning ceremony at the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), 8039 Challenger Dr., to officially bring the project online. This site features solar canopies and provides 249 covered parking spaces for City employees. The 1.19MW system is designed to offset approximately 77 percent of the facility's annual electricity consumption.
"This project is the largest of the City's solar PV portfolio," Douglas Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer, said. "San Antonio continues to set an example with innovative initiatives like this one. Not only does it enhance our building's energy efficiency, but it also supports economic and workforce development."
The thirteen commissioned projects total 4.11MW of solar capacity and include:
- Jean Yates Community Center, 568 Rasa Dr., District 4 Rooftop Installation
- Southside Lions Senior Center, 3303 Pecan Valley Dr., District 3 Rooftop Installation
- West Police Substation, 7000 Culebra Rd., District 5, Parking Lot Canopy Installation
- Pre-K 4 SA East, 5230 Eisenhauer Rd., District 5 Rooftop Installation
- Melendrez Community Center, 5919 W Commerce St., District 5 Rooftop Installation
- Southwest Service Center, 6927 W Commerce St., District 5 Parking Lot Canopy Installation.
- Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center, 1901 S Alamo St., District 1 Rooftop and Parking Lot Canopy Installation.
- West Police Station, 7000 Culebra Rd., District 6 Parking Lot Canopy Installation.
- Fire Station #37, 11011 Vance Jackson Rd., District 8 Rooftop Installation.
- Garza Community Center, 1450 Mira Vista, District 7 Rooftop Installation.
- Northeast Senior Center, 4135 Thousand Oaks Dr., District 10 Parking Lot Canopy Installation.
- SAFD Service Garage, 230 S Callaghan Rd., District 6 Rooftop Installation.
- Public Safety Answering Point, 8039 Challenger Dr., District 3 Rooftop and Parking Lot Canopy Installation.
- John Igo Library, 13330 Kyle Seale Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78249. District 8, Rooftop and Parking Lot Canopy
Big Sun Solar, a San Antonio-based commercial solar company, is developing the program under a services agreement with the City.
"Achieving this level of progress required extensive planning, a strong focus on project management, and coordination with various City departments to ensure minimal disruption to their operations," Jason Pittman, Co-Founder and President of Big Sun Solar said.
To learn more about the program and project status for each facility, visit the Office of Sustainability's website.