Corona, CA
The I-15 Express project in Corona, California, represents a landmark achievement in integrating renewable energy with critical transportation infrastructure. As one of the busiest transit corridors in Southern California, the I-15 requires a sophisticated network of electronic tolling systems, high-definition monitoring, and safety lighting that must remain operational 24/7. In April 2019, the I-15 Express facility partnered with Stellar Solar Commercial to implement a high-capacity solar solution, turning its administrative and operational real estate into a powerful engine for energy independence and fiscal responsibility.
Designing a solar solution for a major transportation agency requires a “zero-failure” approach to engineering. The systems powering our highways must be as resilient as the infrastructure itself. Stellar Solar Commercial engineered a robust rooftop and facility system designed to provide consistent, medical-grade power quality for the mission-critical electronics that manage the Express Lanes.
The technical architecture of the I-15 Express installation features:
-286 SunPower 360W Modules: By utilizing premium SunPower technology, the project ensured maximum energy density and long-term durability. These high-output modules are engineered to perform at peak efficiency even in the intense heat of the Inland Empire, capturing every possible watt of the Corona sun.
-102.96 kW (DC) Installed Capacity: (Note: Correcting the provided figure of 10296 kW to the calculated 102.96 kW based on the module count). This system was precisely sized to offset a massive portion of the facility’s daily electrical load, providing a reliable and sustainable source of power for the region’s transit technology.
-Operational Resilience: Placed into service in April 2019, this system has provided seven years of reliable energy, shielding the agency from nearly a decade of utility rate hikes and grid volatility.
For a public transportation entity, electricity is a significant and traditionally volatile operational expense. By generating over 100kW of its own power on-site, the I-15 Express facility has effectively locked in its energy costs for the next two decades. In the 2026 energy landscape, where utility rates for Southern California public agencies have reached historic highs, the foresight of this 2019 installation provides a staggering budgetary advantage.
Every kilowatt-hour produced by the SunPower array is a kilowatt-hour that does not have to be purchased from the utility. This creates a permanent stream of savings that can be redirected toward:
-Infrastructure Maintenance: Funding the ongoing upkeep of the Express Lanes and safety systems.
-Technological Upgrades: Investing in the next generation of traffic management and tolling innovations.
-Lowering the Taxpayer Burden: Reducing the overall operational overhead of our regional transit network.
Since 1998, Stellar Solar Commercial has been the preferred partner for California’s most demanding municipal and infrastructure clients. We bring over 28 years of technical expertise to these public works projects, navigating the unique legal, safety, and structural requirements of the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and regional transit authorities.
Our in-house team handles the entire lifecycle of the project—from initial structural analysis and high-voltage electrical engineering to navigating complex utility interconnection and state-specific incentive programs. We specialize in working within high-security, mission-critical environments where maintaining 100% operational uptime is the top priority during the construction phase.
As we move through 2026, the strategy for critical transportation infrastructure has evolved to include Solar + Battery Storage. For facilities like the I-15 Express, adding a utility-scale battery system provides an essential layer of resilience, ensuring that tolling, monitoring, and safety systems remain fully operational even during regional power outages or grid instability.
Stellar Solar Commercial continues to lead this energy revolution, helping California’s infrastructure leaders build a resilient, low-cost energy future. We turn public facilities into powerful tools for sustainability and operational success.
If your agency or infrastructure facility is ready to follow the lead of the I-15 Express 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 organization lead the way.