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Last year, San Antonio set a new record of 75 days at or above 100°F. An innovative solar project approved by the City in November will not only provide a solution for beating the heat in the form of shaded solar canopies on parking lots, but also highlights how cities of all shapes and sizes can harness a new federal mechanism to cost-effectively invest in more clean energy.
The City of San Antonio has made history by approving a major deal with local solar developer Big Sun Solar to put an estimated 13 megawatts (MW) of solar on 42 city-owned facilities and parking lots. Most significantly, these projects will offset about 11 percent of the electricity consumption for City operations, accruing a net savings of $7–$11 million over the 25-year lifetime of the panels. These benefits and more show that clean energy is not only good for reducing pollution, but can also result in healthier, safer, and more financially resilient cities.
