VISTA — San Diego-based solar energy company Luminia will bring a portfolio of solar and energy storage projects to Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos and other areas of San Diego County under an agreement with the Clean Energy Alliance.
The Clean Energy Alliance board of directors approved a series of long-term project agreements with Luminia at its March 27 meeting at the Vista Civic Center. These include solar projects at 25 sites throughout the county and battery energy storage systems at four sites.
Once the projects are operational in 2027, CEA will enter into 20-year power purchase agreements for 20 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy and 10-year contracts for energy storage services.
CEA leaders said these projects support the agency’s environmental goals, help bring new energy onto the grid, and support the local workforce.
“Local long-term agreements for new-build renewable energy projects and storage projects are critical to CEA achieving our environmental goals, while also providing financial value to CEA by locking in our power supply,” said CEA Power Procurement Manager Dan Peckham.
Luminia will install rooftop solar energy facilities in various locations, including four in Oceanside, one in San Marcos, six in Vista, one in Carmel Valley, and others throughout San Diego County. Storage facilities will include two in Vista, one in 4S Ranch, and one in Boulevard.
In terms of locations, solar facilities will be placed on commercial rooftops and battery storage units will be in parking lot spaces. To increase safety, Luminia focused on using previously developed land that is far from residential areas and higher-priority uses.
CEA leaders said the battery storage facilities are very small compared to some of the more well-known larger BESS facilities. Regardless, they will be implemented in coordination with local jurisdictions and fire departments and will involve 24/7 digital monitoring in addition to other regular inspections.
CEA selected Luminia after putting out a request for qualifications to developers last year.
“Where we’re really focused is trying to bring all of the impact and benefit for renewable energy to the local community, so we really thank you for looking at our projects,” said Jaquelyn Fairbairn, Luminia Vice President of Corporate Development.
Local energy distributors pose additional benefits for agencies like CEA due to their smaller size and proximity to the CEA service area. Local energy storage partnerships also help CEA comply with California Public Utility Commission obligations for local resource adequacy or the capacity to support the local grid during events such as blackouts.
“This is what we’ve been looking for since really starting community choice energy programs is to have local programs of microgrids, hire locally, and all that, so you bring that to us,” said CEA Boardmember and Solana Beach City Councilmember Kristi Becker.
The Clean Energy Alliance is a community choice aggregation entity providing alternative energy resources in North County. Its member agencies include the cities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Escondido and Oceanside.
