solar plus Business logo featuring a small business and sun

Clean Energy Alliance (CEA), in partnership with Luminia, is helping commercial property owners unlock energy savings and lease income through the Solar Plus Business program. The program offers standalone battery storage or solar paired with storage at no upfront cost.

Solar Plus Business is an excellent option for local municipalities and school districts looking for onsite solar energy generation and storage.

How It Works 

Luminia Installs and Manages Your System 

  • You choose from standalone storage or solar paired with battery storage, all with no upfront cost. 
  • Luminia handles financing, permitting, construction and long-term operations and maintenance. 

You Save and Earn

  • Energy Savings: Solar and battery storage significantly offset your building's electricity use, lowering overall energy expenses. 
  • Lower Peak Energy Use: Battery storage reduces costly peak demand charges by supplying stored energy during peak hours.  
  • No Upfront Costs: Luminia finances, installs and maintains the system. 
  • Lease Income: You earn annual income for hosting systems on your property.
  • Long-Term Price Stability: 
    • For standalone battery storage, you lock in a set 10-year rate. 
    • For solar paired with storage, you secure a 25-year rate with a 1% annual escalator. 

CEA Continues to Provide Your Energy Services 

  • Your system reduces the amount of energy you need from the grid, while CEA continues supplying the remainder of your electricity needs.  
  • Your set Solar Plus Business rate appears directly in the CEA section on your San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) bill.  

Does Your Property Qualify? 

To qualify, your property should meet the following criteria: 

Location

  • Located within CEA service territory and enrolled as a CEA customer.  

Energy Usage

  • Energy use of at least 250,000 kWh per year, which is typically an average monthly bill of at least $7,500.   

Available Space

  • At least 15,000 square feet of rooftop space, or 
  • 25+ parking spaces suitable for solar carport, and/or 
  • A minimum of 100 square feet of ground space for standalone battery storage.  

Want to Learn More?

Please complete the form below. We’ll review your information and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rooftop Solar

Today’s solar systems are designed to be low impact. They’re installed with minimal roof penetrations and won’t void your existing roof warranty. In fact, solar panels often extend the life of your roof by shielding it from sun and weather — while also helping to lower your building’s cooling and heating expense.

If your roof is older, we’ll assess whether it still qualifies. If roof repairs or replacement are needed during the lease term, we will remove the solar system and reinstall it once the work is complete.

If a leak occurs, we’ll work with you to identify the cause and resolve it quickly. Our installations are designed to maintain your roof’s integrity, and we take responsibility for any issues related to the solar system. If a leak develops as part of the roof’s natural aging, most roofing contractors are experienced in making repairs around existing solar panels without issue.

Luminia will take great care to minimize disruption during installation. Most of the work is done on the roof or in exterior spaces, with little to no impact on tenant operations. Luminia coordinates closely with property managers and ensures efficient, safe, professional site conduct throughout the project. Once installed, Luminia will schedule annual maintenance visits once-a-year.

Luminia can avoid portions of the rooftop for future equipment and tenant needs. Luminia will work with you to ensure your rooftop remains functional for future changes.

Yes. Because the solar system is owned and maintained by us, and structured as a lease, it typically doesn’t impact your financing terms, and it increases the long-term income of the property. Luminia can support the approval process every step of the way.

In most cases, solar installations have no impact on your insurance coverage. Luminia carries their own insurance for the system and will provide the necessary documentation to share with your insurer. If needed, they will work with you and your provider to ensure everything remains fully covered.

The standard agreement is a 25-year lease starting from when the system begins operating, with the option for two 5-year extensions. Existing roof warranties are maintained, and at the end of the term, Luminia is responsible for removing the system at no cost to you.

The presence of a solar installation can enhance your property’s value by generating long-term lease income, which is an attractive feature for many buyers. When you sell, the agreement automatically transfers to the new owner just like any other tenant lease, or you can have the option to buy out the system.

Carport Solar

In most cases, the number of spaces lost is minimal if any. Some spots may be repurposed for support columns or electrical equipment, but Luminia will coordinate with you on the design to maximize parking availability. Most property owners find the trade-off well worth the lease income, energy savings and covered parking.

Carport solar can improve the experience for tenants and visitors by providing shaded parking. Shaded lots often lead to higher tenant satisfaction and can even boost property value.

During construction, Luminia may need to temporarily section off portions of the parking lot for equipment staging and safety. Luminia will coordinate closely with property managers to minimize disruption, maintain traffic flow and complete the work as quickly as possible.

No, Luminia will finance, build and maintain the carport system. Since carports cost significantly more than rooftop solar, the Solar Plus Business rate will be higher than the rate of an equivalent sized for a rooftop solar system. However, you gain the added benefit of covered parking.

The standard agreement is a 25-year lease starting from when the system begins operating, with the option for two 5-year extensions.

Carport solar typically has a positive effect on property value. It creates a long-term lease revenue stream and provides shaded parking, which can be attractive to tenants, employees and customers. These benefits often enhance overall property value.

Battery Storage

Yes, Luminia can install a battery storage system on its own. If your property already has solar, the battery can store the energy you generate onsite to help you use more of your own clean electricity. If you don’t have solar, the battery can still deliver value by reducing demand during high-cost peak hours, lowering your overall energy expenses and helping you reduce utility demand charges.

Battery storage systems are compact, cabinet-style units. Depending on your site, the equipment may be mounted along the building’s exterior wall or installed as a small standalone unit in a low-traffic area. Each enclosure is made of durable, weather-protected metal and roughly comparable in size to a commercial electrical cabinet or HVAC unit. Installations are designed to blend with your property’s layout, maintain full site functionality, and preserve curb appeal.

Battery storage systems produce very minimal noise, typically comparable to a residential HVAC unit. They’re designed to operate quietly and are often placed in low-traffic areas away from tenants or sensitive operations.

Safety is a top priority. Our battery storage systems use advanced, utility-grade technology and are designed with multiple layers of fire protection and real-time monitoring. They meet all local, state, and national safety standards and best practices.

Installation is carefully planned to minimize disruption. The work takes place outdoors and is completed quickly. Luminia coordinates closely with property managers and maintain a safe, clean site. Once installed, the system operates silently and requires very little on-site activity.

The standard solar + storage system term is 25 years from the start of operations, while the standalone energy storage term is 10 years, both with the option for two 5-year extensions. At the end of the term, we are responsible for removing the equipment at no cost to you.

In most cases, installations should have no impact on your insurance coverage. Luminia carries their own insurance for the system, and we’ll provide the necessary documentation to share with your insurer. If needed, we’ll work with you and your provider to ensure everything remains fully covered.

Yes. Because the battery storage installation is owned and maintained by us, and structured as a lease, it typically doesn’t impact your financing terms, and it increases the long-term income of the property. Lumina is happy to support the approval process every step of the way.

If you sell your property during the lease term, the agreement transfers easily to the new owner just like any other tenant lease, or you can have the option to buy out the system. The battery storage system can enhance your property’s value by protecting the business from utility rate increases during the term of the lease.

Energy Rates & Lease Payments

The locked-in rate increases by 1% per year, which is below average inflation and far below typical rate increases, which have increased 72% over the past ten years. This small, built-in adjustment helps maintain system performance and service while keeping your overall energy costs stable and significantly lower than traditional utility rates.

Yes. Lease payments include a modest 2% annual increase, which helps account for inflation over time.

Lease payments are made annually at the beginning of each lease year. This means you receive your full lease payment upfront for the year.

The solar + storage will help offset a portion of your electricity demand and generation. Solar Plus Business charges and electricity savings will be reflected on your SDG&E bill.