San Diego, CA
Ganahl Lumber is the oldest lumber and building materials dealer in the Southwestern United States, providing a premier hardware and supply experience that matches the unique spirit of San Diego. Operating a modern lumberyard and retail center requires a massive, constant flow of electricity—powering expansive showroom lighting, heavy-duty material handling equipment, vehicle charging stations, and comprehensive administrative suites. To align its iconic brand with both environmental stewardship and long-term fiscal health, Ganahl Lumber partnered with Stellar Solar Commercial in October 2023 to transform its facility into a high-performance energy asset.
Designing a solar solution for a prominent coastal lumberyard requires a sophisticated understanding of marine environments, structural integrity, and granular power management. Stellar Solar Commercial engineered a robust system designed to maximize energy production within the facility’s footprint, utilizing advanced bifacial technology to harvest more energy per square foot.
The technical architecture of the Ganahl Lumber installation features:
-35 Hanwha Q.Cells Bifacial Modules: Unlike traditional panels, these 480W Q.PEAK DUO modules are designed to capture sunlight from both the front and the back. By absorbing reflected light from the facility’s highly reflective surface, these bifacial modules significantly “boost” total energy yield, providing more power during San Diego’s frequent morning marine layers.
-SolarEdge SE20KUS Optimized Inverter: To manage the substantial power conversion, we utilized a state-of-the-art SolarEdge optimized inverter. This system, paired with panel-level power optimizers, ensures that every one of the 35 modules performs at its individual peak, providing the granular monitoring and redundant reliability essential for a busy retail and industrial environment.
-16.8kW (DC) Installed Capacity: Placed into service on October 19, 2023, this 16.8kW system was precisely engineered to neutralize a significant portion of the lumberyard’s daily electrical load, providing a reliable hedge against rising coastal utility costs.
For a forward-thinking industrial retailer, the transition to solar is a double victory. By generating its own power on-site, Ganahl Lumber 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 staggering competitive advantage.
Every kilowatt-hour produced by the bifacial Q.Cells array is a kilowatt-hour the lumberyard does not have to purchase from the utility at premium peak rates. This creates a permanent stream of savings that can be redirected toward:
-Infrastructure Modernization: Expanding the facility’s ability to support the next generation of lumberyard operations.
-Service Center Enhancements: Investing in the latest tools and diagnostic technology.
-Community Enrichment: Supporting local San Diego events and charities that define the Ganahl Lumber legacy.
Since 1998, Stellar Solar Commercial has been the preferred partner for North County’s most recognizable landmarks. We bring over 28 years of technical expertise to these high-profile commercial projects, navigating the unique permitting and structural 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 analysis and electrical engineering to navigating complex utility interconnection and state-specific incentive programs for small businesses. We specialize in “quiet-professional” construction, ensuring that the customer experience remains the top priority throughout the project.
As we move through 2026, the strategy for coastal retail properties has evolved to include Solar + Battery Storage. For organizations like Ganahl Lumber, adding a battery system provides an essential layer of resilience, ensuring that critical data centers, security systems, and material handling bays 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 lumberyard rooftops into powerful tools for sustainability and financial success.
If your lumberyard or retail facility is ready to follow the lead of Ganahl Lumber 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.