The Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians has completed solar and battery storage installations at three Tribal facilities on the Mesa Grande Reservation in San Diego County, California, in partnership with the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF). The Tribe describes the project as the first public clean energy installation on the reservation and part of its longer effort to expand energy sovereignty.
The systems serve the Tekamuk administration building, the Hallyeyaaw administration building and the Golden Eagle administration building. According to the Tribe, the three buildings act as civic and community hubs. They support Tribal government, housing services, cultural and educational activities, food distribution and emergency response.
Designed for current needs and future growth
The solar arrays are designed to generate enough electricity to cover the three facilities’ current energy needs, with additional capacity for future growth. Together, the systems are expected to produce approximately 60 MWh of solar electricity annually. The Tribe expects the installations to save at least $16,780 in electricity costs per year.
The battery systems add resilience in a rural community where power interruptions are common. They allow the administration buildings to continue operating independently of the electric grid during outages. Curtis La Chusa, chairman of the Mesa Grande Tribal Council, said electricity is often taken for granted until service fails, but at Mesa Grande outages are a regular reality and can last for days, disrupting the services the Tribe provides.
Building on two decades of energy work
The project follows more than two decades of efforts by Mesa Grande to expand access to reliable, affordable clean energy. Grid electricity did not reach the reservation until the 1950s, and some homes remain disconnected from the grid today, relying on small generators for basic household needs. Over the years, the Tribe 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. The Tribe says the installation is another step in its long-term pursuit of greater energy sovereignty. Bob Freling, executive director of SELF, said reliable and affordable energy creates opportunities for communities to invest in what comes next. He said solar can lower energy costs and strengthen resilience, freeing up resources while providing a sustainable foundation for future growth.
Housing plan adds context
The clean energy 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 how many members can live on Tribal land. The development will include the first new housing built on the reservation since 2005.
La Chusa said Mesa Grande has a bright future ahead and that it starts with letting Tribal members 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.