New solar microgrids will help western North Carolina be more prepared for Helene-like disasters

It has been almost two years since Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, causing unprecedented flooding and leaving a large swath of destruction in its wake. Many communities were left in the dark in the aftermath because of blackouts that couldn't be remedied until power lines could be repaired. But a new statewide microgrid solar project aims to prevent such a situation from happening in the future. 

"The state Department of Environmental Quality invested $5 million in 26 microgrid projects last August, in partnership with a coalition of nonprofits dedicated to the expansion of sustainable energy. The goal is to build 24 stationary microgrids and two mobile ones, with five sites announced in June," reports Katie Myers reported for Grist (republished by Next City). 

Solar microgrids can power one or more buildings and can store energy to keep the power on "for days without sunshine," Myers writes. Stationary systems remain in one place, and power "essential infrastructure." Myers writes that one such system powers the entire town of Hot Springs, N.C., and "kept the lights on during Helene." 

The Foothills Project, a nonprofit bringing microgrids to western North Carolina, uses what they call "beehives" -- small, portable systems with batteries that can work in sunny or cloudy conditions. They provide up to 100 kWhs of energy, and could power a building for 10 hours. Myers reports that "Foothills Project is prioritizing installing them outside food banks, fire stations, community centers, and libraries," because they "can store supplies and serve as a hub of community operations during a disaster."

Two solar "beehives" will be ready for use in 2027, and installations at five stationary sites began this summer.