Grants to triple San Antonio’s solar capacity

March 17, 2010

Solar powered (left to right): St Philip's College students Roberto Trevino and Stella Salas with Dr Adena Williams Loston, Dennis McDonaugh and student Stephen Engel celebrate the solar grant

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office has awarded $3 million in federal stimulus money to help build solar power capacity in the city of San Antonio.

The funds will support solar panels at the city’s Mission Verde Center in Cooper, at the campuses of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and at St Philip’s College.

The Mission Verde Center is to install a 48-kilowatt system thanks to its $430,000 grant.

UTSA will gain 152kW of generating capacity with its $1.3 million grant.

St Philip’s College, one of the Alamo Colleges, will receive a $2 million grant in order to install 400kW of solar capacity.

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said the solar projects would triple solar generating capacity in the area.

“This is a big step forward for sustainability in San Antonio,” he said. “With these grants, we will multiply our solar energy production by several times as well as make real the value of renewable sources of energy to the community.”

St Philip’s College

St Philip’s College is working with San Antonio municipal utility CPS Energy to develop the project, which should save $3 million in energy costs over its 30-year lifespan.

When complete, the facility will be the largest solar array in San Antonio, surpassing the existing 200-kW array at the Pearl Brewery.

College President Adena Williams Loston said the grid-tied solar facility would be used as a “green laboratory” at its soon-to-open Center for Excellence in Science.

“This grant represents a tremendous opportunity for St. Philip’s College,” said Dr Williams Loston. “It will produce energy for the college, and it will enhance our standing as an area leader in workforce education. Most importantly, we will engage our community in a component of our education.”

This is a big step forward for sustainability in San Antonio” - Julian Castro, San Antonio Mayor

UTSA’s College of Engineering is also to use its solar project to help green job training and research through its Institute of Conventional, Alternate and Renewable Energy.

Mauli Agrawal, the dean of UTSA’s College of Engineering said: “Energy and sustainability are two areas of focus that UTSA has identified as it marches toward Tier-1 status,” Mr Agrawal said.

“And UTSA is committed to working closely with the San Antonio community to develop more clean technologies and train a workforce for green jobs,” he added.