The Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians has installed solar and battery systems at three administration buildings on its reservation near Julian, KPBS reported Wednesday. Tribal Chairman Curtis LaChusa said the project helps keep services running during outages that can last days.

The systems serve the Tekamuk, Hallyeyaaw and Golden Eagle buildings. LaChusa told KPBS that continued power supports communications, phone charging and community services when the grid fails.

The tribe partnered with the Solar Electric Light Fund on the project, supported by about $200,000 in private donations. The organization’s executive director, Bob Freling, said four tribal members worked on the installations and estimated annual electricity savings of nearly $17,000.

The backcountry community is also planning housing to help more tribal members return. KPBS reported that the Mesa Grande Indian Housing Authority received more than $12 million through California’s Tribal Homekey program in late 2025 for an initial 12 units intended for people at risk of homelessness. Broader housing expansion remains a long-term goal, not a completed development.

Source: KPBS.