The Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians, working with nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), has completed solar and battery storage installations at three Tribal facilities on the Mesa Grande Reservation in San Diego County, California. The Tribe describes the project as the reservation’s first public clean energy installation and part of its longer effort to strengthen energy sovereignty.
The systems serve the Tekamuk, Hallyeyaaw and Golden Eagle administration buildings. The three facilities function as civic and community hubs, supporting Tribal government, housing services, cultural and educational activities, food distribution and emergency response.
Output, savings and backup power
The solar systems are designed to meet the three buildings’ current electricity needs, with additional capacity for future growth. Together they are expected to generate about 60 MWh of solar electricity annually and save the Tribe at least $16,780 in electricity costs each year. The battery storage allows the administration buildings to continue operating independently of the electric grid during outages, which the Tribe says are common in the rural community.
Curtis La Chusa, chairman of the Mesa Grande Tribal Council, said electricity is often taken for granted until service is interrupted. He said outages at Mesa Grande can last for days at a time and disrupt the services the Tribe provides.
Building on prior energy work
The installation follows more than two decades of Tribal efforts to expand access to reliable, affordable clean energy. Grid electricity did not reach the reservation until the 1950s, and some homes remain disconnected today, relying on small generators for basic household 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 were employed on the project.
Bob Freling, executive director of SELF, said reliable and affordable energy can create opportunities for communities to invest in future needs. He said lower energy costs and stronger resilience can free up resources while providing a foundation for growth, and that SELF looks forward to seeing how clean energy helps Mesa Grande reach its goals.
Housing and infrastructure plan
The installation 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 housing affordability and supply shortages that have historically limited the number of members who can 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 and that it starts with enabling Tribal members to return home and providing spaces and services that help them thrive.
The project was funded by the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation and others.