San Diego, CA
King Chavez Preparatory Academy, a vital part of the historic Barrio Logan community in San Diego, is dedicated to preparing students for success in college and beyond. For a charter school focused on maximizing every educational resource, the burden of high utility costs is a constant operational challenge that draws funds away from the classroom. In October 2016, King Chavez Preparatory Academy partnered with Stellar Solar Commercial to implement a sustainable energy strategy, transforming their campus rooftop into a powerful tool for financial stability.
Designing a solar solution for an active urban school requires a sophisticated understanding of safety protocols, structural integrity, and architectural integration within a historically significant neighborhood. Stellar Solar Commercial engineered a customized 36.48 kW (DC) rooftop system that maximizes the academy’s solar harvest while ensuring the highest standards of safety and aesthetic cohesion.
The technical architecture of the King Chavez installation features:
-LG320N1C Modules: Selected for their superior performance and durability in the high-yield San Diego sun, these high-efficiency LG panels ensure the academy generates maximum power from its available roof space.
-2 SMA TriPower 20000-TL-US-10 Inverters: To manage the three-phase electrical loads of an industrial/commercial school building, we utilized two world-class SMA Tripower inverters. These units are renowned for their rugged, “utility-scale” reliability and industry-leading conversion efficiency, ensuring that the school’s energy production remains optimized year-round.
-Operational Since 2016: Placed into service on October 4, 2016, this 36kW system has provided nearly a decade of reliable energy, shielding the academy from multiple utility rate hikes.
For a mission-driven charter school, every operational dollar saved is a dollar that can be reinvested into student achievement. Electricity is a significant, non-negotiable expense for any modern K-12 facility. By generating its own clean power on-site, King Chavez Preparatory Academy has effectively protected its budget from the volatility of the energy market.
In the 2026 energy landscape, where SDG&E rates for San Diego educational institutions have reached historic highs, the ROI of this 2016 installation is a major victory for the school. The clean energy produced on-site creates a permanent stream of savings that can be redirected directly back into the academy’s core mission, supporting:
-Enhanced Academic Resources: Funding for new classroom technology, textbooks, and STEM equipment.
-College Prep Programs: Expanding the counseling and guidance services essential for student success.
-Campus Maintenance: Ensuring that the physical learning environment remains safe, modern, and inspiring for every student.
Since 1998, Stellar Solar Commercial has been the preferred partner for San Diego Unified and independent educational non-profits. We bring over 28 years of technical expertise to these public works projects, navigating the unique requirements of the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and ensuring that the installation process is as non-disruptive as possible.
Our in-house team handles the entire lifecycle of the project—from initial structural analysis to the complex utility interconnection and state-specific incentive programs for education. We specialize in “quiet-professional” construction, ensuring that the academic mission of the school remains the top priority throughout the project.
As we move through 2026, the strategy for educational campuses has evolved to include Solar + Battery Storage. For institutions like King Chavez Preparatory Academy, adding a battery system provides an essential layer of resilience, ensuring that critical administrative data, campus security, and student union facilities remain fully operational even during grid instability or regional power outages.
Stellar Solar Commercial continues to lead this energy revolution, helping San Diego’s educational leaders build a resilient, low-cost energy future. We turn school rooftops into powerful tools for sustainability and student achievement.
If your school, academy, or non-profit is ready to follow the lead of King Chavez Preparatory Academy 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 institution lead the way.