UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine Commissions Rooftop Solar Project
Library Installation Demonstrates Commitment to Sustainability
San Antonio – September 4, 2025 – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is advancing its commitment to sustainability with the commissioning of a new rooftop solar system on its UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine library at Brooks. The installation, completed by San Antonio-based Big Sun Solar, is expected to generate more than 81,982 kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, offsetting nearly 8% of the library’s electricity use.
The project highlights UIW’s commitment to environmental responsibility and financial stewardship by leveraging federal and local incentives, including those from the Inflation Reduction Act and CPS Energy rebates. The system is projected to save the university approximately $9,757 in electricity costs each year.
“This significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability represents more than just an upgrade to our energy system; it’s a powerful statement about our dedication to a healthier future for both our community and the planet,” says Dr. John Pham, dean of the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine. “By harnessing the power of the sun, we are actively reducing our carbon footprint and promoting the importance of renewable energy. This initiative aligns perfectly with our core mission of holistic well-being, extending the concept of health from individuals to the environment we all share. The solar panels serve as a visible symbol of our forward-thinking approach, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable campus for future generations of students and faculty.”
The system features 100 Mission Solar panels manufactured locally in San Antonio, furthering the university’s investment in the region’s clean energy economy. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to recycling more than 180,000 pounds of waste annually.
“This project was inspired by UIW’s Solar House and by UIW’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and care of the environment, which is part of its Mission,” says Dr. Benjamin Miele, Former Chair of the UIW Sustainability Advisory Board. “UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans also signed on to the Catholic Church’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform, and UIW made a 7-Year Action Plan that commits UIW to taking concrete steps to decarbonize its operations and reduce its use of polluting fossil fuels in an effort to raise ecological awareness. This solar array is a vital first step in the right direction.”
“We are proud to partner with the University of the Incarnate Word on this important initiative,” said Robert Miggins, CEO of Big Sun Solar. “This project is a rare solar trifecta. It advances the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship and supports local manufacturing jobs - all at a great payback. These are the types of projects Big Sun loves building.”
Photo Caption: UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine Library
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About UIW
With over 140 years of tradition, the University of the Incarnate Word is committed to educational excellence in a context of faith in Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. UIW programs constitute a liberal education that fosters a well-grounded intellectual resilience, a disposition toward lifelong learning, and an acceptance of responsibility for the ethical consequences of our ideas and actions. Founded in 1881, UIW is the largest Catholic university in the state and the fourth largest private university in Texas. UIW students can choose from degrees offered at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The University is committed to graduating students with the lowest amount of debt load possible and to help them secure a career that lifts their lives, their families and their communities. With a beautiful main campus in the heart of San Antonio, in 2019, UIW purchased a 10-acre landmark property at 4119 Broadway which increased the footprint of the UIW Broadway Campus by 20%. The building is now known as Founders Hall. UIW has locations throughout San Antonio, two campuses in Mexico and a European Study Center in Strasbourg, France. UIW is a leader in international education, with over 146 “sister schools” in 45 countries and it is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution. The University is a member of the NCAA Division I Southland Conference and is proud to have 25 teams representing 15 different sports. UIW is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.