Tustin, CA
The City of Tustin stands as a leader in municipal sustainability, demonstrating how local government can leverage federal resources to create long-term taxpayer value. The Columbus Tustin Gymnasium is a vital community hub, hosting youth sports, fitness programs, and civic events for thousands of residents. In August 2011, the City of Tustin partnered with Stellar Solar Commercial to transform this 9,900-square-foot facility into a high-performance renewable energy asset, setting a benchmark for public-sector solar in Orange County.
Designing a solar solution for a high-occupancy public gymnasium requires a sophisticated approach to structural integrity and electrical reliability. Stellar Solar Commercial was selected among a competitive field of contractors to engineer a 99 kWp rooftop system that perfectly matches the facility’s expansive footprint and energy profile.
The technical architecture of the City of Tustin installation features:
-423 REC 235-Watt Modules: This massive 423-panel array covers the gym’s entire 9,900-square-foot roof—a surface area nearly identical to the system’s output in square footage. These high-durability modules are engineered for long-term performance, providing a consistent flow of clean electricity to the city grid.
-Distributed SMA Inverter Strategy: To manage the power conversion with maximum redundancy and efficiency, we utilized a robust configuration of 12 SMA inverters: three SMA-6000, three SMA-7000, and six SMA-8000 units. This distributed approach ensures that the system remains operational even if a single string requires maintenance, a critical feature for public infrastructure.
-Operational Since 2011: Placed into service nearly 15 years ago, this system has become a legacy asset for the city, proving the enduring reliability of the Stellar Solar engineering standard.
The Tustin solar project serves as a premier example of efficient public-sector financing. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) via an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant through the Department of Energy, the city was able to implement this green infrastructure with zero impact on the local general fund.
In the 2026 energy landscape, the foresight of this 2011 installation has yielded staggering results. Originally projected to save the city $23,000 annually, the cumulative savings over the last 15 years have grown exponentially as utility rates have climbed. These savings allow the City of Tustin to:
-Protect the General Fund: Redirecting utility savings toward essential public services like parks, recreation, and public safety.
-Maintain Community Amenities: Ensuring the Columbus Tustin Gymnasium remains a top-tier, climate-controlled facility for residents at a lower operational cost.
-Lead by Example: Fulfilling the city’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact through visible, large-scale carbon reduction.
Since 1998, Stellar Solar Commercial has been the preferred partner for California’s city and county governments. We bring over 28 years of technical expertise to these public works projects, navigating the rigorous reporting requirements of federal grants and ensuring that every installation meets the highest state and local safety standards.
Our in-house team handles the entire lifecycle of the project—from initial structural analysis of municipal roofs to navigating complex utility interconnection and prevailing wage requirements. We specialize in working within “live” public environments, ensuring that community access to gymnasiums and civic centers remains the top priority throughout the construction phase.
As we move through 2026, the strategy for municipal facilities has evolved to include Solar + Battery Storage. For cities like Tustin, adding a utility-scale battery system to existing solar assets allows the city to store excess daytime energy for use during evening community events, further insulating the public budget from peak-hour utility surcharges.
Stellar Solar Commercial continues to lead this energy revolution, helping California’s civic leaders build a resilient, low-cost energy future. We turn public buildings into powerful tools for sustainability and fiscal success.
If your city, county, or public agency is ready to follow the lead of the City of Tustin 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 community lead the way.