Visitors traversing Catalina Island wildlands near the Airport in the Sky will soon encounter an unexpected silhouette on the landscape. It’s not that of an animal, rather it’s the steel structure and panels of a solar array designed to offset power at the airport and other Conservancy buildings, according to a statement released this week.
According to Conservancy spokesperson Pepe Barton, this initiative is designed to bring more renewable energy to the Island will become reality with completion of the project, which is the largest solar energy array on Catalina.
The installation began Sept. 1, which aligned with the end of bird nesting season so that work didn’t disrupt their breeding patterns. The project includes several features designed to protect native species and their habitats while allowing wildlife to move through the area.
“The fencing is raised about 8 inches around the bottom so [foxes and squirrels] can easily get in and out of the structure,” said Conservancy Director of Capital Planning Carlos Rodarte in the statement.
“We’re installing a camera system facing the solar field so we can monitor to make sure no animals or critters are stuck or endangered inside the fence. We’re not disturbing the land – we’re actually elevating the platform to keep as much of the native landscape intact as possible.”
The project is a 170-kilowatt system, which is about 10 times what a home solar system produces. This solar photovoltaic (PV) system converts sunlight into electricity, providing a renewable source of power that helps reduce reliance on conventional energy sources and supports more sustainable operations on Catalina Island.
Investments in renewable energy help the Conservancy reduce its environmental footprint while advancing its mission to protect and restore Catalina Island for future generations.
Small units exist at the Trailhead Visitor Center and University of Southern California Wrigley on Catalina, but they generate only a fraction of this system’s capability. Bringing solar to the Island at this scale is about six years in the making and was initiated by a Catalina tourist with a passion for clean energy.
“I was on holiday on Catalina Island maybe 10 years ago, and being an energy nerd, I looked up how does Catalina Island get their power,” said Mark Tholke. “Turns out it’s diesel generators. I realized we’ve got to do something better than this.”
Tholke, who is the managing principal of Golden State Renewable Energy, began making calls and sending emails to Conservancy leadership to encourage adoption of solar power. Once the Conservancy was awarded a grant from Edison International, the effort began.
Conservancy facilities staff, Tholke and Sattler Energy have been collaborating to bring the project to fruition. On one particularly hot September morning, crews could be seen along the road beneath the airport pouring concrete and installing solar panels.
“People don’t generally think it’s hot weather here, but it’s 100 degrees today,” said Rodarte. “It’s very warm. We’re in a canyon. It’s difficult to get water, supplies, etc. There are serious challenges. On the mainland, if you’re missing a screw or piece, you can drive down to the hardware store and pick one up. Here, it’s a three-day delay.”
Tholke said a project of such unique challenges would not be possible without the expertise and location-specific insight of the Conservancy facilities team.
“We could not have done the project without the Conservancy,” Tholke explained. “I’m not just saying the arrangement with the land being owned by the Conservancy, but the talent that Conservancy employees have brought to the cement, trucks, trenching, ground crews, weed abatement. It’s been remarkable and impressive to not just me, but others on the team who at one point said, ‘I would not be driving that truck.’ These guys are really that skilled.”
The Conservancy will utilize renewable energy tax credits. Implementation of the system is expected to reduce energy costs by at least $40,000 annually. But it’s not just about cost savings. Rodarte said the impact on the environment here and on the mainland is a strong motivator to support renewable energy sources on Catalina.
“As a conservation organization, it’s important that we put the right step forward in all we do, not just preserving the land – but the earth,” said Rodarte. “It’s not just isolated to where we are on our land, but showing we are a good steward of the planet as a whole.”
The Catalina Island Conservancy gratefully acknowledges Edison International for its generous support of this renewable energy project and its investment in a more sustainable future for Catalina Island, the statement concluded.

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