Great news is shining down on North County businesses! Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) and San Diego-based Luminia have launched an innovative Solar Plus Business program that's making clean energy more accessible than ever before. This exciting partnership is transforming how commercial properties access renewable energy while creating lasting benefits for the entire community.

The program brings a remarkably simple proposition to businesses across Carlsbad, Del Mar, Escondido, Solana Beach, San Marcos, Oceanside, and Vista: get solar panels and battery storage installed on your property at absolutely no upfront cost, enjoy predictable energy rates, and even receive annual lease payments for hosting the system. It's a refreshing example of how clean energy solutions can be both environmentally responsible and economically smart.

"Our partnership with Luminia taps into one of the most underused resources for local clean energy—commercial properties—making it easier for North County businesses to participate in our clean energy transition," said CEA CEO Greg Wade enthusiastically. He emphasized that this is truly a win-win situation: businesses save money and earn new lease income, residents gain a more resilient electrical grid, and the community makes meaningful progress toward its clean energy and climate goals.

The program's structure is elegantly straightforward. Luminia handles all the complex parts—financing, installing, owning, and maintaining the solar and battery storage systems. CEA purchases the power and delivers it to participating customers at predictable rates that appear directly on their regular utility bills. This seamless integration means businesses can enjoy the benefits of clean energy without navigating complicated new processes.

Both owner-occupied and tenant-occupied properties can participate, making the program remarkably inclusive. Commercial, industrial, municipal, and school district properties that meet baseline energy-use and site criteria are all welcome to join this clean energy revolution.

David Field, CEO and Co-Founder of Luminia, expressed his excitement about the collaboration: "For years, Luminia has been deeply committed to making solar and storage more accessible for commercial property owners. Partnering with CEA allows us to deploy our platform and experience so North County businesses can benefit from a simple, no upfront-cost program that lowers operating expenses and strengthens local resilience."

The program's ambitions are impressively large-scale. CEA and Luminia expect to deploy up to 160 megawatts of solar power and 640 megawatt-hours of battery storage across the region. This substantial investment directly supports CEA's inspiring goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2035.

Beyond the immediate benefits to participating businesses, the program delivers meaningful advantages to the broader community. It creates local jobs in the renewable energy sector, increases grid reliability during peak demand times, reduces emissions that contribute to climate change, and demonstrates how communities can take control of their energy future.

This initiative represents the kind of practical, accessible climate action that communities nationwide are seeking. By removing financial barriers and simplifying participation, the Solar Plus Business program shows that transitioning to clean energy doesn't require sacrifice—it creates opportunity. North County businesses now have a clear path to reduce their environmental footprint while improving their bottom line, proving that sustainability and prosperity can grow together.