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Greentech Renewables Raleigh, Footprint Project, Land of Sky Regional Council and the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association are partnering to bring solar and battery microgrids to western North Carolina.
Western North Carolina was devastated by the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which left thousands of North Carolinians without power, internet, food, shelter and water. The crisis is exacerbated by washed-out and impassable roads.
A host of recovery efforts are underway, and as with other recent natural disasters, teams are coordinating efforts to bring clean energy to the areas that need it most.
pv magazine spoke to Matt Abele, executive director of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) about a recovery effort that is underway. Based in Raleigh, NCSEA’s primary mission is to promote clean and equitable energy policy in North Carolina.
While NCSEA is playing a major role in helping coordinate efforts to bring power to devastated areas of North Carolina, Abele acknowledged that it is one of many organizations assisting in recovery efforts. FEMA and other local organizations have been on the ground, helping to clear debris and open roads — efforts that are critical to bringing in much-needed supplies.
“We have been helping facilitate introductions to all of our roofers to facilitate equipment donations.”
One of the first organizations NCSEA connected with was the Footprint Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit that deploys solar trailers in disaster areas. For example, after a tornado tore through Kentucky in 2021, the organization installed two palletized microgrids, five solar generators and six portable power stations in the hardest-hit area. Abele said the Footprint Project had staff and equipment in the Asheville area the day after the hurricane.
To assist in the effort, NCSEA is reaching out to the Land of Sky Regional Council, which serves 71 member governments. Based in Asheville, they provide information to NCSEA on where state and federal agencies have yet to step in, and NCSEA ensures they have troops on the ground. Abele again emphasized that recovery is a true collaborative effort, “with multiple efforts taking place simultaneously.”
To acquire the necessary resources, Footprint Project connected NCSEA with Greentech Renewables/Raleigh, a leading distributor of renewable energy, which Abele said “came on board immediately.”
Greentech Renewables surveyed its installer members and asked if they had spare equipment, and Greentech offered to transport it. Abele said transportation isn’t the easiest with the roads destroyed, but it’s starting to improve. “The Ashville area was essentially cut off from the world, but first responders have opened up some access roads.”
Together, these organizations are installing microgrids and solar power generators so that areas without electricity can charge cell phones, power medical and mobility devices, and use WiFi. Abele also noted that its not just about energy, but that Footprint Project has dehumidifiers that extract water from the air and then filter and disinfect it for drinking.
Another North Carolina company that has stepped up to help is Solarpanelrecycling.com and its parent company, Powerhouse Recycling. In addition to donating solar modules, the recycling company has opened its docks at both North Carolina warehouses to collect nonperishable food items, clothing, baby formula/food, water, sports drinks, diapers, pet food, flashlights, gas cans, batteries, hygiene products and more.
They are using their own fleets of semi-trailer/box trucks to transport these products directly to the affected communities. They have also mobilized their skilled machinery operators and assets such as skid steers, mobile gas, and other heavy equipment to work directly with the West Yancy Volunteer Fire Department to make temporary roads, repair roads, and create pathways for people still stranded in Burnsville. |
