Resilient Power for Florida Community Health Centers

A survey of Florida’s Community Health Centers showed that only 40% have backup power on site. When Health Centers are forced to close in the event of a power outage, vulnerable populations lose access to critical healthcare services. Disruptions are also expensive, with a reported $41,000 per day in lost revenue, and additional costs related to staff time and transporting temperature-regulated vaccines and medications.

This survey was conducted by the Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC), with input and support from Direct Relief, and in partnership with Clean Energy Group (CEG) and Powered for Patients, as part of an effort to assess backup power needs and opportunities. The results of the survey are outlined in a report, Supporting Access to Health Care: Resilient Emergency Power for Florida Community Health Centers. The report includes a technoeconomic analysis for using solar+storage for emergency backup power at health centers, and provides insights and recommendations for resilient power adoption at Health Centers nationwide.

Direct Relief has partnered with FACHC to complete solar+storage feasibility assessments for Florida Community Health Centers that expressed interest in pursuing resilient power opportunities and committed to funding solar+storage systems at up to fifteen Health Centers.

This webinar featured speakers from CEG, FACHC, Direct Relief, and American Microgrid Solutions for a discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations. The webinar also included a speaker from a Florida Community Health Center that is currently undergoing a solar+storage assessment process.

Panelists:

• Gianna Van Winkle, Florida Association of Community Health Centers
• Andrew MacCalla, Direct Relief
• Connor Sheehan, American Microgrid Solutions
• Marriele Mango, Clean Energy Group