Chula Vista, CA
Advanced Machining Solutions (AMS) is a premier precision manufacturing partner in Chula Vista, California, specializing in the high-tolerance fabrication of complex components for the aerospace, defense, and medical industries. Operating a state-of-the-art machine shop involves a massive, constant electrical load—powering high-precision CNC mills, lathes, EDM machines, and the comprehensive climate control required to maintain material stability. In May 2015, Advanced Machining Solutions partnered with Stellar Solar Commercial to implement a high-performance 85.4 kWp rooftop solar strategy, transforming its industrial facility into a self-sustaining power plant.
Designing a solar solution for a heavy-industrial manufacturing environment requires a sophisticated understanding of three-phase electrical loads and long-term hardware durability. Stellar Solar Commercial engineered a robust rooftop system designed to maximize energy yield across the AMS facility, utilizing premium high-wattage modules to ensure peak performance for the long haul.
The technical architecture of the Advanced Machining Solutions installation features:
-280 LG 305W Modules: This expansive array of 280 panels was precisely configured to capture the intense South County sun. At the time of installation, these LG modules represented the top tier of commercial efficiency, engineered to provide a consistent and powerful stream of clean electricity to support the facility’s high-draw machinery.
-4 SMA Sunny Tripower 20000 TLUS Inverters: To manage the substantial 85kW power conversion capacity with maximum efficiency, we utilized four industrial-grade SMA Sunny Tripower inverters. This distributed configuration ensures maximum conversion efficiency and the redundant reliability essential for a mission-critical production environment.
-Operational Since May 2015: Placed into service over a decade ago, this array has already delivered a massive return on investment, shielding the company from over ten years of record-high utility rate hikes in San Diego.
For a high-precision manufacturer in the 2026 energy landscape, electricity is a significant and traditionally volatile operational expense. By generating its own power on-site, Advanced Machining Solutions has effectively reclaimed control over its monthly overhead. In a market where utility rates for Chula Vista industrial properties have reached historic highs, the foresight of this 2015 installation provides a staggering competitive advantage.
Every kilowatt-hour produced by the LG array is a kilowatt-hour the company does not have to purchase from the utility at premium peak rates. This creates a permanent, predictable stream of capital savings that can be redirected toward:
-Technological Modernization: Investing in the latest multi-axis CNC technology and automated inspection tools.
-Capacity Expansion: Funding the growth of the facility’s specialized machining capabilities.
-Global Competitiveness: Protecting the company’s bottom line against future utility inflation for the next twenty years.
Since 1998, Stellar Solar Commercial has been the preferred partner for California’s most technically demanding manufacturing and industrial facilities. We bring over 28 years of engineering excellence to these high-stakes projects, navigating the unique structural and electrical requirements of industrial buildings while ensuring that 24/7 production schedules remain undisturbed during the construction phase.
Our in-house team handles the entire lifecycle of the project—from initial structural analysis and electrical load profiling to navigating complex utility interconnection and state-specific incentive programs for large-scale commercial entities. We specialize in “quiet-professional” construction, ensuring that the facility’s schedule and safety remain the top priority throughout the project.
As we move through 2026, the strategy for specialized manufacturing centers has evolved to include Solar + Battery Storage. For organizations like Advanced Machining Solutions, adding a utility-scale battery system provides an essential layer of resilience, ensuring that critical data centers, security systems, and high-precision production lines remain fully operational even during regional power outages or grid instability.
Stellar Solar Commercial continues to lead this energy revolution, helping California’s business leaders build a resilient, low-cost energy future. We turn manufacturing rooftops into powerful tools for sustainability and financial success.
If your machine shop or industrial facility is ready to follow the lead of Advanced Machining Solutions 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.