La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians – 2022 Project

NOTE: Project pages are being updated regularly to reflect changes, if any; however, some of the information may be dated.

Summary

The La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians (La Jolla Band) will install a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array and battery energy storage system that will provide sustained power to the La Jolla Trading Post—a critical hub for fuel, food, and supplies. The goals of the project include reducing energy demand, lowering energy costs, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and expanding the production and use of renewable energy throughout the community.

The project outcomes will include installation of a solar PV system with an approximate capacity of 104 kilowatts (kW), installation of a 60-kW/132-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery energy storage system, solar installation job training for tribal members, and increased energy independence for the La Jolla Band. 

Project Description

Background

The La Jolla Band, a federally recognized sovereign nation located in Southern California, has long been interested in developing renewable energy and increasing energy independence. In 2011, the Tribe developed the La Jolla Tribal Energy Plan, which documents the potential and desire for the production and use of renewable energy. The Tribe has adopted the International Building Code and encourages the installation and use of energy saving infrastructure, appliances, and methods.

Project Objectives

The La Jolla Band will install solar PV and battery storage to supply electric power to the La Jolla Trading Post, the only store and gas station on the La Jolla Indian Reservation, while providing hands-on training for tribal members. The goals of this project are to reduce energy demand, energy costs, and production of greenhouse gases, and to foster increased use of renewable energy.

Project Scope

The primary scope of work for the La Jolla Tribal Government Renewable Energy Development Project comprises the design, installation, training, and commissioning of solar PV and battery storage systems located at the La Jolla Trading Post, owned and operated by the La Jolla Band. Completion of this project will provide hands-on training for several La Jolla tribal members through the La Jolla Band’s workforce development program. Tribal job trainees will assist with the installations, gaining valuable hands-on experience that supports tribal workforce development. System performance will be overseen through remote monitoring and electric utility bill records and will be monitored for at least one year following commissioning.

The La Jolla Tribal Government Renewable Energy Development Project Team (La Jolla Project Team) will work with vendors on all aspects of project management, particularly overseeing the engineering, procurement, and construction scope of the project. The La Jolla Project Team will also work with vendors on identifying local resources, particularly for hiring and recruiting trainees. 

Project Location

The La Jolla Band is a federally recognized sovereign nation located in Southern California. The La Jolla Indian Reservation is in northern San Diego County, California, at the southern base of Palomar Mountain State Park. The Reservation encompasses approximately 8,822 acres. The topography is mountainous with elevations ranging from 900 feet at the southwest border to more than 5,200 feet in the northeast corner.

The ground-mounted solar PV array and battery storage system will be installed at the La Jolla Trading Post on the La Jolla Indian Reservation.