San Marcos, CA
Palomar College chose Stellar Solar to install a 6179.62kW (DC) solar system consisting of 1,446 SunPower modules and 22 SMA Sunny Tripower 24000TL-US inverters.
Palomar College is a powerhouse of higher education in North San Diego County, and its commitment to sustainability is equally formidable. As a public institution, Palomar is tasked with providing a premier learning environment while maintaining strict fiscal responsibility for California taxpayers. On April 2, 2019, the college reached a historic milestone in its “Green Campus” initiative by partnering with Stellar Solar Commercial to activate a gargantuan 6179.62kW (DC) solar system. This multi-megawatt project is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, proving that educational infrastructure can lead the way in the global transition to clean energy.
The sheer scale of the Palomar College project required a level of technical precision and project management that only a veteran team like Stellar Solar Commercial could provide. Spanning the campus’s significant real estate, this 6.1 MW installation turns the college’s infrastructure into a high-output power plant.
The technical architecture of this massive installation includes:
-1,446 SunPower Modules: By utilizing premium SunPower technology, the college ensured maximum energy density and long-term durability. These high-output modules are engineered to perform at peak efficiency even in the high-demand San Diego climate, capturing every possible photon.
-22 SMA Sunny Tripower 24000TL-US Inverters: To manage the immense power conversion, we deployed 22 industrial-grade SMA Sunny Tripower inverters. This distributed inverter strategy provides essential system redundancy and granular monitoring, ensuring that the 6.1 MW array operates at 100% capacity around the clock.
-Proposed 800kWh Battery Storage: To further the college’s goal of total energy independence, the project includes a proposed 800kWh energy storage system. This high-capacity battery will allow the campus to capture excess solar energy during the day and “peak-shave” in the evenings, effectively neutralizing the most expensive utility demand charges.
For a community college district of this size, electricity is a massive and traditionally volatile operational expense. Lighting for vast lecture halls, high-tech science labs, and campus-wide climate control create a heavy draw on the regional grid. By generating over 6 megawatts of its own power on-site, Palomar College has effectively locked in its energy costs for the next two decades.
In the 2026 energy landscape, where utility rates for educational institutions have reached record levels, the foresight of this 2019 installation provides a staggering budgetary advantage. Every kilowatt-hour produced by the SunPower array is a kilowatt-hour the college does not have to purchase from the utility. This creates a permanent stream of millions of dollars in savings that can be redirected toward:
-Student Services and Academic Programs: Expanding resources for student success and high-demand career technical education.
-Lowering the Taxpayer Burden: Significantly reducing the operational overhead of the college district through sustainable self-generation.
-Climate Action Goals: Meeting and exceeding the state’s rigorous sustainability mandates for public institutions.
Since 1998, Stellar Solar Commercial has been the premier partner for California’s school districts and community colleges. We bring over 28 years of technical expertise to these complex public works projects, navigating the unique requirements of the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and the specialized utility interconnection processes required for megawatt-scale systems.
Our in-house team handles the entire lifecycle of the project—from initial structural analysis and electrical engineering to the deployment of advanced storage solutions. We specialize in “quiet-professional” construction, ensuring that the academic mission of the college remains undisturbed while we build the energy infrastructure of the future.
As we move through 2026, the Palomar College system stands as a beacon for what is possible when public institutions embrace large-scale solar + storage. By integrating a 6.1 MW array with a massive 800kWh battery, the college is not just saving money—it is building a resilient, future-proof campus that can continue to serve students even during grid instability.
Stellar Solar Commercial is proud to be the engineering force behind this landmark achievement. We turn educational rooftops and parking lots into powerful tools for sustainability and innovation.
If your school district or college campus is ready to follow the lead of Palomar College 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.