Installation of solar energy solutions at first site in Lake County now complete

Mission Energy is partnering with the American Red Cross to design and install solar systems and battery storage solutions to power five community-based Resilience Centers in Northern California.

 

The sites, located in Butte and Lake counties, are community centers and churches that are already serving their local communities and now will be better able to serve their neighbors, including in times of extreme heat and cold, as well as during disasters such as wildfires and extended power grid outages. The Resilience Centers will offer critical resources such as food, a cooling respite and a source of trusted real-time information, to residents who flee from their homes due to wildfires and other extreme weather events.

 

Mission Energy is serving as construction manager and designing solar microgrid systems capable of supplying each site’s full or nearly full electrical demands for up to 72 hours during a power outage. Custom-built solar batteries will capture excess energy to help offset electricity usage and utility bills when the power is on and help meet the full needs of the Resilience Centers when the power goes out.

 

The Resilience Centers are part of a new Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) focused on strengthening community-based partner networks in 18 disaster-prone counties across the country, including California. The communities were selected based on both chronic disaster risks and socioeconomic challenges.

 

The installation of solar panels, a battery and a backup generator at the first Resilience Center, Galilee Lutheran Church in Kelseyville is now complete.

 

“We are thrilled at the completion of the resilient solar battery backup at the first Resilience Center, Galilee Lutheran Church in Kelseyville,” said Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth, Red Cross CAP Risk Reduction Coordinator. “This achievement represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to enhance community resilience. With this system, residents will be able to access vital services such as cooling, heating and the ability to power durable medical equipment during outages and disasters. It’s a critical advancement in our mission to ensure that communities remain strong, safe and well-supported during times of crisis.”

 

Mission Energy’s partnership with the Red Cross includes designing and installing solar energy solutions at the following Resilience Centers, with a fifth site to be determined.

· Galilee Lutheran Church

8860 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville, CA 95451

https://galileelutheran.org/

 

· Kelseyville Presbyterian Church

5340 Third St., Kelseyville, CA 95451

https://www.kelseyvillepresbyterian.org/home

 

· Lucerne Alpine Senior Center

3985 Country Club Drive, Lucerne, CA 95458

https://www.lucernealpineseniorcenter.org/

 

· African American Family & Cultural Center (AAFCC)

3300 Spencer Ave, Oroville, CA 95966

https://www.aafcc-oroville.org/

 

“It is an honor to partner with the American Red Cross and be selected to power its Resilience Centers, particularly in times of disaster when the community is reliant upon the critical resources offered in these hubs,” said Page Gravely, Mission Energy President. “Our goal is to ensure there is no disruption in services during a power outage and that the Red Cross can continue its mission in these sites 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

 

Mission Energy is partnering with two California-based contractors, eIQ Energy, Inc. and California Solar Electric Cooperative, to develop renewable energy solutions for the five Resilience Centers.

 

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ABOUT MISSION ENERGY

Mission Energy is an expert in developing solar and storage solutions for nonprofit organizations so they can focus on advancing their mission. With a commitment to empower any nonprofit to implement clean energy solutions, Mission Energy has partnered with clients across the United States and successfully completed more than 40 projects totaling 14MW with another 12MW under development. For more information, visit www.mission.energy.