HHS Off-Grid Solar Power System
HHS off-grid solar power system allows you to produce your own electricity from renewable sources, such as sunlight. It also helps protect you from power outages.
HHS has partnered with DOE to develop a first-of-its-kind software to help LIHEAP program administrators connect LIHEAP-eligible households in Illinois, New Mexico, and Washington, DC to community solar subscriptions that save them energy costs.
Reduced Energy Costs
An off-grid solar energy system generates power at a fixed cost, protecting homeowners from electricity price fluctuations. This means that homeowners will save money on their utility bills with an off-grid solar power system, especially in areas where the price of grid power is high.
Additionally, an off-grid battery backup system can provide emergency power in the event of a power outage. Unlike grid-tied systems that rely on the local power company, an off-grid solar energy system uses one or more backup batteries to store power, allowing you to stay safe and comfortable during outages.
Healthcare facilities are a major energy consumer, and using solar panels can help lower their electricity bills while increasing reliability. This can translate into significant savings that can be reinvested into other aspects of the facility, such as patient care and medical research.
Moreover, HHS is also making it easier for households with low incomes to access community solar energy. Last year, the agency released new guidance that allows community solar subscriptions to be paid with LIHEAP funds. As a result, 40,000 LIHEAP-eligible households in two pilot states and Washington, DC could benefit from the new initiative. In addition, HHS is reviewing guidance to allow public housing authorities to more easily enter into power purchase agreements for community solar. These initiatives will enable more families to benefit from the clean energy and resilience benefits of community solar.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
A solar power system is a renewable energy source that generates electricity from the sun. This type of system can be either on-grid or off-grid. On-grid systems connect to the national electric grid while off-grid systems are independent from the grid.
Unlike non-renewable energy sources, solar does not leave a carbon footprint when it is used to replace natural gas or other fossil fuels 10Kw battery home solar power station in a home or business. An acre of forest sequesters 0.84 metric tons of carbon, while an acre of solar panels can reduce 208 to 236 times as much carbon emissions per year.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the federal government is working to help families afford clean energy. The Biden-Harris Administration has supported a pilot to connect LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)-eligible households with community solar. The pilot is using first-of-its-kind software to match local LIHEAP program administrators with community solar providers and their subscribers.
Additionally, the budget has launched a new, comprehensive, and public-facing resource hub to support HHS agencies in meeting the White House-HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge. The OCCHE (Office of Communities and Environment) Health Sector Resource Hub provides a one-stop website with federal resources including funding opportunities, tools and supports for health organizations and communities seeking to address their climate resilience and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
Reliable Power Supply
Providing an uninterrupted power supply is critical for health centers. When a solar system is combined with battery storage, it can provide back-up energy for critical health care services even during long power outages. This allows health centers to continue operating and serving patients during emergencies.
Using the Investment Tax Credit for renewables and battery storage can help community health centers save 12V Battery Series money and reduce their dependence on expensive fossil fuels. These facilities also benefit from reliable backup power that helps them withstand extreme heat and storms. A nonprofit community health center located in an area at major risk for damaging hurricanes and extreme heat installed a solar microgrid with battery storage in 2023. They saved significant amounts on their energy costs and were able to rely on the microgrid during recent hurricanes and other extreme weather events.
An off-grid system is one that operates independent of the national electric grid. However, it can still connect to the grid and sell its excess power back to utilities.
A hybrid solar power system consists of a PV module and a LiFePO4 battery pack coupled with a Battery Management System (BMS), a hybrid MPPT inverter, and a load management control unit. The system is operated based on a forecast of the energy availability of the PV and battery, and a prediction of the battery state of charge (SOC). A predictive LSTM network is employed to track future time series data. The energy deficit of the system was reduced by 53% compared to the system without load management.
Increased Patient Satisfaction
The use of solar energy reduces healthcare facilities’ reliance on the electrical grid, resulting in significant cost savings. These savings can be reinvested in patient care and other vital healthcare initiatives. Additionally, by generating their own energy from renewable sources, healthcare facilities can meet or exceed sustainability goals and enhance their reputation as environmentally responsible businesses.
Solar energy systems can be configured to generate electricity either completely off-grid or with a hybrid system. A hybrid system consists of a power generation source (either solar panels or a backup generator) and an energy storage system. The energy harnessed by the solar panels is used to charge batteries, which then converts that charge into usable electricity using an inverter. The electricity is used to power appliances, and any excess can be stored in batteries for later use or sold back to the grid.
A reliable power supply is critical for hospitals and other healthcare facilities, as it ensures the continued operation of life-saving equipment and medication. Solar energy systems and battery storage systems can provide a robust, uninterrupted power supply, even during grid outages.
To help communities access solar power, the Biden-Harris Administration is partnering with HHS to expand community solar access for low-income households. This first-of-its-kind community solar subscription platform connects families to clean, affordable energy and lower electricity bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The platform will also provide consumer protections to prevent fraud.
