Del Cerro neighbors upset over location of San Diego Unified solar project close to homes

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Neighbors in Del Cerro are voicing their concern over a newly installed solar project on a nearby elementary school campus.

They’re disappointed with how the district carried out the plans and say the placement of the project is an issue.

"The district brought an industrial park to a suburban neighborhood," said Dick Burson.

Patrick Redding lives directly across from the project and shared, "every south facing window of our house looks at a gigantic solar monstrosity."

The district held two meetings in fall of 2024 where this project was discussed as part of a campus modernization plan.

"It was presented from the very beginning that the solar panels are here," said Doug Livingston.

Burson, Redding and Livingston all have homes across the street from the site. They say neighbors advocated for the solar panels to be put in a different location.

"I think everybody is for green energy in a way, but put it somewhere that’s not going to affect the entire community," said Redding.

The district shared a written statement that in part states: "While the District had evaluated several locations for the placement of the solar panels, this was the only location feasible due to soil conditions, joint use fields, and other operational factors. This information was shared with campus neighbors during the meeting on October 30th in our efforts to maintain transparent communication."

Livingston points out the project appears to have zero feet of setback from the property line.

While neighbors grapple with the location, they are also finding it hard to understand how the district plans to use landscaping to mitigate the appearance of the panels. One existing mature tree already had to be significantly cut to accommodate the structure. 

"The great irony of all of this is that what they created blocks the sun. There is great likelihood that what they plant will not grow so not only did they lie to us, they lied to themselves and it’s just a shame," said Burson.

The district acknowledged the one treee as being "over-trimmed" and say they will replace it if needed.

The district also shared it is more than halfway through its goal of offsetting schools' energy uses with renewable energy with 77 solar projects in place and more on the way.

Neighbors say they plan to speak during public comment at next week’s school board meeting.