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In Rural California, A New Resilient Power System Protects Community Health

Shingletown Medical Center’s new solar and battery system will help ensure uninterrupted care during power shutoffs, wildfires, and other emergencies.

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Resilient Power

Shingletown Medical Center's resilient power system, funded by Direct Relief, is newly online. (Photo by Adam Courier for Direct Relief)
By Benjamin Purper

SHINGLETOWN, CA – Shingletown Medical Center, or SMC, a nonprofit community health center in a Northern California area vulnerable to wildfires and power shutoffs, is newly equipped with solar panels and a battery microgrid that can provide continuous power supply in the event of an electrical grid outage.

Direct Relief, a humanitarian nonprofit based in Santa Barbara, California, provided a grant of $275,000 to Shingletown Medical Center through its Power for Health Initiative to cover 100% of the cost of the resilient power system’s design and installation, as well as five years of operations and maintenance.

Shingletown Medical Center, which provides primary care, specialty care, chiropractic care, mental health care, and telehealth services in rural Shasta County, is the only healthcare option for many in rural Shasta and Lassen Counties. In addition to seeing patients in person, this health center offers specialist appointments for endocrinology, behavioral health, dietetics, and rheumatology through its telehealth program—a service that relies on uninterrupted power and a stable internet connection. The center also houses an emergency food center and resource center.

The resilient power system helps ensure the continued operation of not only healthcare delivery but these vital community services as well.

“Shingletown Medical Center is so thankful to Direct Relief for the funding received as part of the community health center resiliency program,” said Shingletown CEO Tami Fraser. “There have been numerous instances a year when our power has been turned off due to the planned and unplanned Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Shingletown Medical Center’s patient population consists of low-income individuals/families, those with disabilities, veterans, and quite a few seniors, for whom access to health care is important. This new solar system will allow SMC to remain open for our patients. Additionally, as a very small, non-profit community health center, the savings realized by utilizing a solar and battery system will be significant.”

Direct Relief staff members Benjamin Purper and Emilie Elzein receive a tour of Shingletown Medical Center, where electronic systems, medical refrigeration, and other essential operations are protected by a new resilient power system. (Photo by Adam Courier for Direct Relief)

The hybrid energy project, developed by American Microgrid Solutions and installed by Above Board Construction & Roofing Inc., will offset more than 60% of Shingletown Medical Center’s utility usage and save an estimated $15,000 a year in utility bills. The facility’s transition from grid and generator power to this renewable energy system will prevent 34 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year—equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 42 acres of forest every year.

Power for Health recipients whose systems have come online report that they are protected from disruptions to the electrical grid and that their energy bills have greatly reduced. For Ampla Health, also in Northern California, a solar facility ensures their Magalia facility remains fully powered for approximately eight hours during Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

“It has been flawless and seamless,” said John Fleming, Ampla’s Director of Planning and Development. “When the power goes off from PG&E, when there’s PSPS events that occur, and then just weather-related events where the power goes out, the batteries kick on and there has always been enough power there to completely back up our clinic.”

Direct Relief has partnered with Shingletown Medical Center since 2012, providing $325,000 in grant funding for the resilient power system and operating support, along with more than $140,000 in material aid that includes wildfire kits, oxygen concentrators, N95 masks, and more.

In response to the 2024 Park Fire, Direct Relief provided the requested material medical aid to Shingletown Medical Center and other Northern California healthcare providers. (Direct Relief photo)

“Shingletown Medical Center, like many rural health centers, is an essential community hub,” said Sara Rossi, Managing Director of Health Resiliency at Direct Relief. “Direct Relief is thrilled to help Shingletown Medical Center achieve its resilience and sustainability goals through the addition of a clean, resilient power system.”

Data scientists at Direct Relief and Qlik conducted a machine learning model analysis that revealed Shingletown as the California FQHC most vulnerable to wildfires. The health center has closed several times in recent years from both power loss and mandatory evacuations due to nearby wildfires.

Other Power for Health projects completed in California are located in Healdsburg, Laguna Beach, Los Molinos, Magalia, Marysville, Miramonte, Simi Valley, Ukiah, and Ventura. Additional sites across the U.S., including Puerto Rico, have been completed, and others are slated to come online in the future.

Shingletown, a rural Northern California community, is extraordinarily vulnerable to natural disasters and power loss. (Photo by Adam Courier for Direct Relief)

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