The Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians and the nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) have completed solar-plus-battery installations at three tribal administration buildings on the Mesa Grande Reservation in San Diego County, California. The project marks the reservation’s first public clean energy installation and is part of the Tribe’s longer effort to strengthen energy sovereignty.
The systems serve the Tekamuk, Hallyeyaaw and Golden Eagle administration buildings, which function as civic and community hubs for tribal government, housing services, cultural and educational programming, food distribution and emergency response.
Designed for current loads and outages
The solar arrays are sized to meet the three facilities’ current electricity needs while leaving room for future growth. Together they are expected to produce about 60 MWh of solar electricity each year and to reduce the Tribe’s electricity costs by at least $16,780 annually. The battery systems are intended to keep the administration buildings operating independently of the electric grid during outages, a practical requirement in a rural community where interruptions are common.
Curtis La Chusa, chairman of the Mesa Grande Tribal Council, said electricity is often taken for granted until service fails, but that outages are a regular reality at Mesa Grande. He said interruptions can last for days and disrupt the services the Tribe provides to its members.
A longer energy effort
The installation builds on more than two decades of work by the Tribe to expand access to reliable and affordable clean energy. Grid electricity did not reach the reservation until the 1950s, and some homes are still not connected, relying instead on small generators for basic needs. Over the years, Mesa Grande has pursued residential solar, renewable energy planning and workforce development. Four Tribal members who had previously received solar installation training worked on this project.
Bob Freling, executive director of SELF, said reliable and affordable energy gives communities room to invest in future priorities. He said lower energy costs and stronger resilience can free up resources and provide a foundation for growth, and he added that SELF looks forward to seeing how clean energy supports Mesa Grande’s goals.
Housing plan advances alongside energy work
The clean energy installation comes as the Tribe begins work on a long-term plan for new housing and community infrastructure. The plan calls for 1,500 new homes and is intended to address housing affordability and supply shortages that have historically limited how many members can live on tribal land. It would include the first new housing built on the reservation since 2005.
La Chusa said Mesa Grande has a bright future and that it begins with enabling Tribal members to come home and providing the spaces and services they need to thrive.
The project was funded by the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation and others.