Contractors install solar modules on the carport in Lot 23, just north of the South Texas Research Facility. Photo by Robert Evans, resident construction manager
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By Rosanne Fohn

The bright Texas sun will soon add its energy to the electrical supply of The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. The Health Science Center is in the process of installing more than 750 solar panels on or near the South Texas Research Facility, which will be opening later this year on the Greehey Academic & Research Campus.

“We are excited to be generating some of the electricity for our campus and are working to add more solar capability in the future,” said James D. Kazen, executive vice president for facility planning and operations.

The project began in November, as crews began building the structure for a long carport just north of the STRF in Lot 23, along Floyd Curl Drive. In January, crews completed the installation of 342 solar modules — each of them 66 inches by 40 inches — in a double row to form the roof of the carport.

Crews are now working to install 416 solar modules on the roof of the STRF in three long rows. “Two wires come down from each module,” explained Tara Young, compliance manager of Texas Solar Power Company. “The wires will be bundled together go down through the STRF roof to inverters on the first floor, where the DC current will be converted into usable AC current.”

The STRF solar project is expected to be completed in March.

Here is a bird’s-eye view of the carport, constructed with a roof of 342 solar modules. Workers are now installing 416 modules on the roof of the STRF. Together the modules are expected to generate about 17 percent of the STRF’s power.

“The solar panels will first supply electricity for our contractor while finishing the STRF, and then for the STRF’s daily operations,” said Darrell Maatsch, assistant vice president for strategic initiatives.

“The solar project is funded by an ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) grant through the State Energy Conservation Office, along with rebates from CPS, so there is no cost to the Health Science Center,” he added. “The projected savings is 210,000 kilowatt hours per year or almost $15,000 a year.”