San Diego, CA
The McGill School of Success, a beloved charter school in the heart of San Diego, is dedicated to providing a nurturing and high-achieving environment for its students. For a community-focused educational institution, every operational dollar is a precious resource that belongs in the classroom, not in a utility bill. In February 2019, the McGill School of Success partnered with Stellar Solar Commercial to implement a sustainable energy strategy, turning their campus roof into a long-term financial asset that supports their mission of academic excellence.
Designing a solar solution for an active urban school campus requires a sophisticated understanding of safety, structural integrity, and architectural integration. Stellar Solar Commercial engineered a customized 19.3kW (DC) rooftop system that maximizes the school’s solar harvest while ensuring the highest standards of operational safety for students and staff.
The technical architecture of the McGill School of Success installation features:
-69 Hyundai HIS-S280RG Modules: These high-durability panels were selected for their consistent performance and long-term reliability in the San Diego sun. The 69-module array provides a steady stream of clean electricity to power the school’s daily operations.
-2 SMA TL-40 7.7kW (240V) Inverters: To manage the power conversion, we utilized two state-of-the-art SMA inverters. These units are known for their industry-leading efficiency and rugged design, ensuring that the school’s energy production remains optimized year-round.
-Strategic Campus Asset: Placed into service on February 4, 2019, this system was sized to offset a meaningful portion of the school’s electrical load, providing a reliable hedge against rising utility costs from day one.
For a charter school, managing overhead is key to expanding student programs. Electricity is a significant, non-negotiable expense for any K-12 facility. By generating its own power on-site, the McGill School of Success 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 2019 installation is a major victory for the school. The clean energy produced on-site creates a permanent stream of savings that supports:
-Enhanced Learning Tools: Funding for new classroom technology, books, and creative arts programs.
-Extracurricular Enrichment: Supporting the various clubs and activities that make the McGill School of Success a vibrant community hub.
-Campus Maintenance: Ensuring that the learning environment remains safe, modern, and welcoming for every student.
Since 1998, Stellar Solar Commercial has been the premier partner for San Diego’s independent charter schools and the Unified School District. We bring over 28 years of technical expertise to these 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 the McGill School of Success, adding a battery system provides an essential layer of resilience, ensuring that critical administrative data and campus security systems remain online 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 success.
If your school or non-profit is ready to follow the lead of the McGill School of Success 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.