SWG Engineering held a grand opening Sept. 30 for its new solar-powered office building off International Boulevard in Weslaco. The engineering firm specializes in innovating municipal infrastructures.
On hand to help celebrate were representatives from the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, Valley Baptist Micro Hospital, Frost Bank and Smith Security & Fire.
Daniel Montez, campus administrator of South Texas College Mid-Valley, attended the event due to his interest in learning more about the solar project.
“Some of the academic and technical programs at South Texas College have to do with alternative energy sources, such as solar or wind,” Montez said. “I wanted to see the SWG building and learn more from the engineers who designed it. It gave me ideas to pass to the instructors and facility management.”
Making the Solar Move
SWG Engineering began installing the solar panels nearly a year ago when adding carports to its building for the purpose of solar panel installment.
“We encourage our clients to invest in sustainable solutions, so we chose to do the same with our Weslaco building,” said Randy Winston, president of SWG Engineering. “As civil engineers, it’s important for us to improve the quality of life in the short and long-term.”
The building has a total 332 solar panels, which is expected to meet the energy demands for the building for approximately 25 years. According to Winston, the cost of the solar panel investment will pay for itself in five to seven years in savings from electricity from the grid.
“There’s no lack of sun in the Valley,” Winston said. “I hope more businesses and governments will consider going solar when they realize both the environmental and financial benefits of this energy solution.”