Cleantech San Diego
2020
Message from the President and CEO
Cleantech San Diego is grateful to our members and stakeholders for your continued support of the organization during this uncertain year, and for the dedication you've shown to upholding the promise of a thriving cleantech economy for all. If this year has taught us anything, it's that community is everything. In that spirit, we have updated the Cleantech San Diego mission statement to better reflect our commitment to promoting investment in and more equitable deployment of sustainable solutions across all parts of the San Diego region.
This report reflects a mix of figures and events from pre- and post-COVID months, and offers a glimpse into the resilience of our industry and the strength of our community amid turbulent times. The cleantech industry was born out of a desire to do things differently. Here in the San Diego region, we are fortunate to have private, public, and academic leaders who value innovation and sustainability, and who are willing to make bold action to support those values for all members of our community. Thank you for joining us in the pursuit of economic growth alongside environmental change and social prosperity.

Our Mission
To accelerate clean technology innovation and promote the equitable deployment of sustainable solutions across the San Diego region for the benefit of the economy, the environment, and all members of the community.
Cleantech San Diego Members
- 7 Academic
- 14 Government
- 17 Community Partners
- 60 Energy and Technology
- 3 Building and Construction
- 6 Business and Financial
- 17 Professional Services
34 New Member Companies
Economic Impact
TOTAL CLEANTECH AND
SOLAR JOBS SUPPORTED
37,570
Direct 19,176
Indirect 8,197
Induced 10,197
TOTAL ECONOMIC OUTPUT
$8.2 Billion
Direct $5 Billion
Indirect $1.5 Billion
Induced $1.7 Billion
*Cleantech and solar jobs are not mutually exclusive
Startups on the Energy Scene
“SCEIN changed the trajectory of our business tremendously.”
"The Southern California Energy Innovation Network creates environments with access to stakeholders from the State of California, local governments, technology partners, and investors to help us build genuine relationships with decision makers. The program managers are also phenomenal teachers that have helped our team to become better storytellers when sharing KIGT’s vision to larger audiences.”
– Paul Francis, CEO and Founder, KIGT
Industry Advocacy and Climate Policy
- Cleantech San Diego submitted 31 letters in support of its members, energy-related legislation, and regional partners.
- Congressman Mike Levin and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released the report “Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America.”
- SDG&E released its 2020 Sustainability Strategy.
- San Diego Community Power released its first RFP for long‐term renewable energy procurement.
- The City of San Diego reached its 2020 climate goals two years early and launched a Climate Equity Index.
- Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas joined the Climate Mayors Steering Committee.
- The City of Encinitas set a new goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 44% by 2030, a 5% increase from its 2018 Climate Action Plan.
- San Diego County Regional Airport Authority won an Environmental Achievement Award from Airports Council International-North America.
Smart Cities San Diego

Solar Power Player
- California reached a milestone of one million roofs with solar panels.
- The San Diego region ranked #2 in the nation in solar installations per capita and total solar installations with 351 megawatts of installed solar capacity.
- Baker Electric Solar installed a 204 kW commercial solar system for Del Rey Avocado.
- EDF Renewables was awarded commercial solar projects with Cox Communications, Cubic, and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute.
Riding Clean
Yellow is the New Green
- Cleantech San Diego’s K-12 Schools Sustainability Strategy Collaborative continues in its seventh year with priority focus on zero energy buildings and transportation electrification.
- Nine regional school districts secured federal and state grant funding that will put 61 EV school buses in service in San Diego County.
- 16 San Diego County school districts have applied to participate in SDG&E’s Power Your Drive for Fleets EV Infrastructure Program.
- San Diego Unified School District completed phase one of their districtwide Zero Net Energy Plan to retrofit 42 school sites.
World-Famous
Energy Storage
- LS Power continued San Diego’s energy storage leadership with the largest battery in the world, the 250 megawatt Gateway Energy Storage project in East Otay Mesa.
- EDF Renewables launched a 1 MW battery storage system at the San Diego Zoo and won the contract to install a microgrid and battery storage system at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
- ENGIE installed a 4 MWh battery energy storage system at the San Diego International Airport.
- 2,854 energy storage projects equaling 112 MW of capacity have been completed in San Diego County.
Virtually Uninterrupted
The virtual nature of gatherings this year allowed for more frequent events and greater participation from remote stakeholders – all with a lower carbon footprint.
