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, working with the nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF). The Tribe describes the project as the first public clean energy installation on the reservation and a further step in its long-running effort to gain greater energy sovereignty.
The systems serve the Tekamuk, Hallyeyaaw and Golden Eagle administration buildings, which the Tribe says operate as civic and community hubs. They support tribal government operations, housing services, cultural and educational activities, food distribution and emergency response.
Generation, savings and backup power
According to the Tribe, the arrays are sized to cover the three facilities' current electricity needs while leaving capacity for future growth. Together they are expected to produce approximately 60 MWh of solar electricity each year and to reduce the Tribe's electricity costs by at least $16,780 annually.
The accompanying batteries allow the administration buildings to continue operating independently of the electric grid when power is interrupted, a recurring problem in the rural community. Curtis La Chusa, chairman of the Mesa Grande Tribal Council, said electricity is something many people take for granted until it fails, but that at Mesa Grande interruptions are a regular reality. He noted that outages there can last for days at a time, disrupting the services the Tribe provides to its members.
Building on two decades of energy work
The project continues a longer effort by the Tribe 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 this project.
Bob Freling, executive director of SELF, which facilitated the project, said reliable and affordable energy creates opportunities for communities to invest in what comes next, and that lowering energy costs while strengthening resilience can free up resources and provide a foundation for growth. He said the organization looks forward to seeing how clean energy helps Mesa Grande reach its goals.
Housing and infrastructure plan underway
The installation comes as the Tribe begins work on a long-term plan for new housing and community infrastructure. The plan covers 1,500 new homes intended to address the housing affordability and supply shortages that have historically limited how many members can live on tribal land, and would include the first new housing built on the reservation since 2005. La Chusa said Mesa Grande has a bright future ahead, starting with letting its people come home and providing the spaces and services to help them thrive.
The project was funded by the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation and others.