Encinitas, CA
Hansen’s Surf Shop is not just a retail destination; it is an institution, defined by its massive, visible commitment to the Encinitas community and the surrounding ocean. Operating a vast, 20,000-square-foot flagship store in one of North County San Diego’s most prominent coastal locations requires a massive, constant flow of electricity. To stabilize its operations in the face of rising coastal utility rates and reinforce its dedication to environmental stewardship, Hansen’s partnered with Stellar Solar Commercial in August 2023 to deploy a robust, high-performance rooftop solar strategy.
Designing a solar solution for a prominent, historically significant coastal retail landmark requires a sophisticated understanding of marine environments, structural integrity, and architectural cohesion. Stellar Solar Commercial engineered a customized 103.7kW (DC) rooftop system that maximizes the shop’s solar harvest across its expansive facility, utilizing some of the most advanced technology available.
The technical specifications of the Hansen’s Surf Shop installation include:
-216 Hanwha Q.Cells Duo XL-G10.3/BFG 480 Modules: By utilizing premium Hanwha technology, the shop ensured maximum energy density and a high-efficiency yield. These 480W modules are designed to perform at peak capacity even during North County’s frequent morning marine layers, capturing every possible watt of the Encinitas sun.
-1 SE80KUS 480V SolarEdge Inverter: To manage the substantial 103kW power conversion, we utilized a high-capacity, three-phase 480V SolarEdge inverter. This optimized system, paired with panel-level power optimizers, ensures that every one of the 216 modules performs at its individual peak, providing the granular monitoring and redundant reliability essential for a high-volume retail environment.
-Substantial Energy Offset: Placed into service on August 9, 2023, this massive 103kW array was engineered to neutralize a significant portion of the shop’s daily electrical load, providing a reliable hedge against rising coastal utility costs from day one.
For a large, independent retail business, electricity is a major and traditionally volatile operational expense. By generating its own power on-site, Hansen’s Surf Shop has effectively “locked in” its energy costs for the next two decades. In the 2026 energy landscape, where SDG&E rates for coastal commercial properties have reached historic highs, the foresight of this 2023 installation provides a massive financial advantage.
Every kilowatt-hour produced by the sun is a kilowatt-hour that Hansen’s does not have to purchase from the utility at premium peak rates. This creates a permanent stream of savings that can be redirected toward:
-Enhanced Retail Experience: Maintaining the extensive showroom lighting, expansive product displays, and comprehensive customer service.
-Community Enrichment: Supporting the various local events, surf clubs, and coastal charities that define the Hansen’s legacy.
-Property Modernization: Funding ongoing facility improvements while reducing the shop’s environmental footprint.
Since 1998, Stellar Solar Commercial has been the premier partner for North County’s most recognizable landmarks and small business leaders. We bring over 28 years of technical expertise to these high-profile commercial projects, navigating the unique permitted requirements of coastal commission zones and ensuring that daily business operations remain undisturbed during the construction phase.
Our in-house team handles the entire lifecycle of the project—from initial structural roof analysis and retail load profiling to navigating complex utility interconnection. We specialize in “quiet-professional” construction, ensuring that the customer experience and safety remain the top priority throughout the project.
As we move through 2026, the strategy for premier coastal properties has evolved to include Solar + Battery Storage. For organizations like Hansen’s Surf Shop, adding a battery system provides an essential layer of resilience, ensuring that critical security lighting, point-of-sale systems, and administrative hubs remain fully operational even during grid instability or regional power outages.
Stellar Solar Commercial continues to lead this energy revolution, helping California’s business leaders build a resilient, low-cost energy future. We turn iconic rooftops into powerful tools for sustainability and financial success.
If your retail business or commercial property is ready to follow the lead of Hansen’s Surf Shop and reclaim control over your energy future, contact Stellar Solar Commercial today at 866.787.6527. We provide comprehensive, free site evaluations to help your business lead the way.