Parking Structures Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026060050
Public Agency
California State University, San Diego
(SDSU)
Document Title
Parking Structures Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/2/2026
Document Description
The project consists of the installation and long-term operation of six new photovoltaic (PV) carport canopies on the SDSU campus. Parking Structures 3 (#96), 4 (#99), and 6 (#79) will each receive two PV carport canopies on their top floors. Collectively, these canopies are expected to generate approximately 3,560,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar-powered electricity during the first year of operation. Electricity generated by the PV canopies will be integrated with the SDSU and SDGE grids, supporting SDSU's environmental and economic sustainability goals.
Contact Information
Name
Kara Peterson
Agency Name
San Diego State University
Job Title
Director of Planning
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide, Countywide, Southern California
Zip
92182
Other Location Info
Parking Structures 3, 4, and 6 on the SDSU campus
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 21080.35
Reasons for Exemption
This project qualifies for the statutory exemption set forth in Public Resources Code Section 21080.35 because it consists of the installation of solar canopy arrays on existing parking garages that have been used for vehicle parking for at least the previous two years. The project is located entirely within existing developed parking structures, and does not expand existing parking footprints or result in the conversion of undeveloped land. All associated equipment will be located on the same parking structure parcels or in immediately adjacent locations as authorized by the statute, will comply with the statute's limitations on ground disturbance, and will not affect any plant species protected under the Native Plant Protection Act.
The project is not subject to any of the Section 21080.35 exceptions to the statutory exemption, as the project will not require any individual permits under Sections 401 or 404 of the Clean Water Act, waste discharge requirements under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, any federal or state endangered species take permits, or a streambed alteration agreement. The project does not involve the removal of any protected or mature native trees and does not include any transmission or distribution facilities.
Accordingly, the project is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.35.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
In the alternative, moreover, and for the reasons stated above, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed project may have a significant effect on the environment, and therefore the project also qualifies for the “common sense” exemption to CEQA provided in Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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