New Frontwave Arena Hosts Solar and Storage at San Diego Entertainment Complex
The first large multi-purpose indoor arena built in San Diego’s North County area is now energized by a brand-new solar energy and battery storage combination on-site.
DSD Renewables and Baker Electric announced they have completed work on the 797-kW solar installation which is being paired with battery storage capacity totaling more than 1.1 million kWh per year at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. The 7,500-seat Frontwave Arena was opened less than one year ago, and the on-site power added this year.
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The 1,350 solar panels could generate about 1.25 million kWh of carbon-free electricity annually, helping avoid 825 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, according to the release. DSD Renewables owns and operates the solar-storage system on a power purchase agreement with Frontwave Arena.
“From the beginning, our mission has been to build a best-in-class venue in North County San Diego that prioritizes entertainment, community and sustainable practices.” said Josh Elias, Cofounder and CEO of Frontwave Arena, in a statement. “With the support of DSD and Baker Electric, this project will allow us to not only offset a significant portion of our energy use, but also demonstrate our long-term commitment to sustainability while providing memorable experiences to our patrons.”
Baker Electric handled engineering, procurement and construction contracting leadership on the recently completed renewable power project. Mayfield Renewables worked as a development partner engaging stakeholders including San Diego Gas & Electric and the city of Oceanside.
The solar modules are Hanwha Q Cells, while the battery energy storage system is connected to inverters and a rapid shutdown system if needed.
“The completion of this system marks a significant step toward our shared vision for sustainable infrastructure and operations,” said Scott Williams, executive vice president at Baker Electric. “By partnering with DSD, we were able to successfully deliver a system that reflects the arena’s commitment to sustainability and sets a new standard for energy-conscious entertainment venues in the region.”
Frontwave Arena opened in September 2024 after three years of planning and construction. The complex is home to the San Diego Sockers professional indoor soccer club as well as the NBA’s G League San Diego Clippers.
“Seeing this project through to completion with Baker Electric and Frontwave Arena has been incredibly rewarding” said Katherine Lillydahl, senior account executive, developer network at DSD. “With this project, we’re providing long-term energy savings and improved environmental impact for a venue that will serve as a cultural hub in the region for a long time to come.”
The on-site power connection also is expected to lighten energy costs for Frontwave Arena, which is in a region with high electricity rates.
Permitting for the solar-storage hybrid system was obtained in October 2024. Construction started in December.
About the Author
Rod Walton, Microgrid Knowledge Managing Editor
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I’ve spent the last 15 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist. I was an energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World before moving to business-to-business media at PennWell Publishing, which later became Clarion Events, where I covered the electric power industry. I joined Endeavor Business Media in November 2021 to help launch EnergyTech, one of the company’s newest media brands. I joined Microgrid Knowledge in July 2023.
I earned my Bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. My career stops include the Moore American, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, Wagoner Tribune and Tulsa World, all in Oklahoma . I have been married to Laura for the past 33-plus years and we have four children and one adorable granddaughter. We want the energy transition to make their lives better in the future.
Microgrid Knowledge and EnergyTech are focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids. The C&I sectors together account for close to 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.