Santa Barbara Community College District Solar Power Array & Battery Energy Storage System Microgrid

The Santa Barbara Community College District is implementing a solar power array and battery energy storage system microgrid at the Cliff Campus in Santa Barbara, California. This project involves the installation of 1.6 megawatts of carport-mounted solar arrays, battery energy storage systems, transformers, inverters, and related electrical infrastructure. The work will be concentrated within existing parking facilities on the East and West Campuses, specifically targeting Parking Lots 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D. The primary objectives of the installation are to provide 8 to 24 plus hours of energy resilience, reduce the district's carbon footprint, and lower long-term energy costs through renewable energy generation. The Board of Trustees of Santa Barbara City College has determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Categorical Exemption Class 1 for Existing Facilities, as the project occurs within previously developed areas with no expansion of use or new land disturbance. Project administration is managed by the Santa Barbara Community College District, with key coordination involving Rachel Hollander and Chris Renbarger. The project is classified under NAICS code 221114 and was formally documented via a Notice of Exemption dated June 4, 2026.