The Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians has completed solar and battery storage installations at three tribal facilities on its reservation in San Diego County, California, in partnership with the nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF). The Tribe describes the project as the first public clean energy installation on the reservation and another step in its long-term pursuit of greater energy sovereignty.
The systems serve the Tekamuk, Hallyeyaaw and Golden Eagle administration buildings. All three function as civic and community hubs, supporting tribal government, housing services, cultural and educational activities, food distribution and emergency response.
Output, savings and outage resilience
The solar arrays are sized to cover the three buildings' current electricity needs while leaving room for future growth. Together they are expected to generate approximately 60 MWh of solar electricity each year and to reduce the Tribe's electricity costs by at least $16,780 annually.
Battery storage allows the administration buildings to keep operating independently from the electric grid during outages, a practical concern in a rural community where interruptions are frequent. Curtis La Chusa, chairman of the Mesa Grande Tribal Council, said electricity is something many people take for granted until it fails, and that at Mesa Grande outages can last for days at a time, disrupting the services the Tribe provides to its members.
Built on two decades of energy work
The project continues a longer history of energy efforts on the reservation. Grid electricity did not reach Mesa Grande until the 1950s, and some homes remain disconnected today, relying instead on small generators for basic household needs. Over the years the Tribe has pursued residential solar, renewable energy planning and workforce development, and four Tribal members who had previously received solar installation training were employed on this project.
Bob Freling, executive director of SELF, which facilitated the project, said reliable and affordable energy gives communities room to invest in what comes next, and that lower energy costs and stronger resilience can free up resources while providing a foundation for future growth. He added that the organization looks forward to seeing how clean energy helps Mesa Grande reach its goals.
Housing plan takes shape alongside the installation
The completion comes as the Tribe begins work on a long-term plan for new housing and community infrastructure. The plan includes 1,500 new homes and is intended to address the housing affordability and supply shortages that have historically limited the number of members able to live on Tribal land. It will include the first new housing built on the reservation since 2005.
La Chusa said Mesa Grande has a bright future ahead, beginning with letting Tribal members come home and providing the spaces and services that help them thrive.
The project was funded by the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation and others.