New Medical Clinic Microgrid Ensures Access to Care for Underserved on Florida’s Atlantic Coast

With its new solar and energy storage microgrid Treasure Coast Community Health (TCCH) can offer reliable medical care to patients, regardless of the status of the power grid.

The non-profit health organization announced the completion of the 46-kW solar and 214-kWh battery storage microgrid at its Fellsmere location last week. The system, developed by American Microgrid Solutions (a 2024 Microgrid Knowledge Greater Good Awards winner) and installed by PayOli Solar, will power critical operations at the site for up to 19 hours in the event of a utility grid outage.

TCCH is the only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Indian River County, Florida, about two hours north of Fort Lauderdale. As a FQHC, it provides medical care to underserved populations, regardless of their ability to pay.

Across its eight locations, TCCH serves nearly 28,000 individuals each year. The Fellsmere site provides family medicine, pediatrics, behavioral and mental health therapy, diabetes, dental, gynecology, pharmacy and vision services to roughly 9,000 patients annually.

“This new solar and battery system is truly life-changing,” said Dr. Heather Miranda, interim CEO of Treasure Coast Community Health. “In a region frequently impacted by hurricanes, sustainable and reliable energy is essential to providing care and protecting vaccines, medications and other vital equipment. This system will help ensure the long-term resilience of our health center.”

Funded by a Power for Health grant

The microgrid’s development and installation costs, as well as five years of operations and maintenance fees were fully funded by a $353,000 grant from Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative. Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization active in all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 countries. It is focused on improving health outcomes for vulnerable communities affected by poverty and emergencies, regardless of politics, religion, or ability to pay.

The Power for Health Initiative provides grants for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of off-grid, renewable and resilient power systems at community health centers and free clinics.

As the federal government has rescinded grants for renewable projects at healthcare facilities in recent months, smaller providers such as TCCH are turning to private funding sources to get solar, storage and microgrid projects off the ground.

The Fellsmere installation is the first Power for Health project completed in Florida—eight other projects are under development.

“Completing Florida’s first Power for Health solar microgrid is a milestone not only for Treasure Coast but for healthcare energy resilience statewide,” said Sara Rossi, managing director of Direct Relief’s Health Resiliency Fund. “Every hurricane presents the stark reminder that without electricity, care stops and patients lose critical access. By investing in clean, reliable backup power, we’re helping Florida health centers stay open to protect community health regardless of disruptions to the grid.”

Most Florida health centers lack backup power

A recent Direct Relief survey found that only 40% of Florida health centers had backup power systems in place. For those without, losses due to power outages averaged $41,000 per day when considering spoiled medications and vaccines, cancelled appointments and other expenses.

“Reliable power is essential for community health centers across Florida, particularly as extreme weather events become more frequent,” said Gianna Van Winkle, Director of Emergency Management Programs for the Florida Association of Community Health Centers. “This solar microgrid at TCCH’s Fellsmere location demonstrates how resilient energy solutions can protect patients, staff, and critical services — and sets a strong example for health centers throughout the state.”

Microgrids and renewables gaining popularity with healthcare providers

A growing number of health care providers are investing in renewables to bolster resilience, reduce utility costs and reduce carbon emissions.

In Florida, AdventHealth recently installed a solar canopy at its Altamonte Springs campus. Over its lifetime, the system is expected to save the non-profit healthcare provider millions of dollars and offset 2,900 tons of carbon emissions.

Further north, Maryland’s Meritus Health built a renewable energy and combined heat and power microgrid to maintain operations during grid outages and reduce its carbon emissions. In California, Valley Children’s Hospital’s renewable energy microgrid is set to come online later this year.