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 Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF). The project marks the reservation's first public clean energy installation and another step in the tribe's long-term pursuit of greater energy sovereignty.
Solar and batteries at three community hubs
The systems serve the Tekamuk, Hallyeyaaw and Golden Eagle administration buildings. These facilities function as civic and community centers for tribal government, housing services, cultural and educational programming, food distribution and emergency response.
The solar arrays are sized to cover the three facilities' current electricity demand while allowing for future growth. Together, they are expected to generate about 60 MWh of solar electricity each year and reduce the tribe's electricity costs by at least $16,780 annually. The battery systems allow the administration buildings to keep operating independently of the electric grid when outages occur, a practical benefit in a rural community where interruptions are common.
Reliability in a rural grid
Curtis La Chusa, chairman of the Mesa Grande Tribal Council, said electricity is frequently taken for granted until service fails. At Mesa Grande, he said, outages are a regular reality and can last for days at a time, disrupting the services the tribe provides.
The project follows more than two decades of work to expand access to reliable, affordable clean energy. Grid electricity did not reach the reservation until the 1950s, and some homes still lack grid service, using small generators for basic household needs. The tribe has pursued residential solar, renewable energy planning and workforce development. Four tribal members with prior solar installation training were employed on this project.
Housing growth and project funding
The installation comes as the tribe starts work on a long-term plan for new housing and community infrastructure. The plan calls for 1,500 new homes and addresses housing affordability and supply shortages that have 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 starts with letting tribal members come home and providing the spaces and services they need to thrive.
Bob Freling, executive director of SELF, said reliable and affordable energy creates opportunities for communities to invest in what comes next. Lowering energy costs and strengthening resilience can free resources and provide a sustainable foundation for future growth, he said, adding that SELF looks forward to seeing how clean energy helps Mesa Grande reach its goals.
The project was funded by the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation and others.