Microgrids powered North Carolina after storm Image By EPN staff Key Points The state is funding $5 million in solar and battery-powered microgrids after solar hubs proved effective in restoring power following Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods and mudslides. Unlike traditional gas generators, the solar-powered “beehive” and “bee” units are quieter, emission-free, not fuel-dependent, and can also support the broader grid during peak demand outside of emergencies. The U.S. has over 1,100 microgrid sites, with solar use expanding as battery costs fall; Texas and California lead in deployments, and other states like Oregon are also boosting adoption to strengthen grid reliability. North Carolina recently announced a $5 million grant to place solar and battery microgrids around the state, in large part so they can generate power after natural disasters. The decision follows the high-profile success of small solar-powered grids after Hurricane Helene brought heavy flooding and mudslides to much of Western North Carolina, leaving many without power for weeks. "This initiative represents a leap forward in how we prepare for and respond to disasters," NC Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson said in a release announcing the grant. Why it matters Restoring power after the storm was difficult in western North Carolina due to the scale of the damage and the area's mountainous terrain. Roads, including part of Interstate 40, were destroyed. A group called the Footprint Project brought solar hubs to communities without power to supplement gas-powered generators. The hubs are quiet, whereas traditional generators come with noise and emissions. Traditional generators also depend on fuel, which was in short supply in parts of the state and can be expensive to rely on for long periods. Footprint’s “beehive” microgrids are “essentially four large shipping containers with solar panels on top of the outside and battery storage systems inside,” according to Coastal Review. Smaller solar units – the “Bees” – can be attached to trailers and sent to areas without power. Outside of emergencies, the stationary microgrids can provide supplemental energy to the overall grid during peak usage times. The bigger picture The U.S. Department of Energy maintains an online database of microgrid projects, which it defines as an energy resource that can disconnect and reconnect to the wider grid, or a mini grid in a remote location that may not attach to the larger grid at all. The DOE doesn’t generally consider traditional gasoline or diesel-powered backup generators to be microgrids, according to the database’s methodology. The database includes 1,174 sites generating up to 5,800 megawatts. The most common microgrid in the DOE database is a Combined Heat and Power unit, which produces both electricity and heat and usually runs on natural gas. The DOE numbers show significant growth in solar units, though, over the last decade. Solar is gaining traction in part because the cost of batteries used to store electricity generated during the day has been falling, making the hubs more affordable. Texas has the most microgrids by far, followed by California, Alaska and New York. Other states are making a push. Oregon, for example, passed legislation this year to boost microgrid usage "Microgrid technology is an indispensable way to make power outages less risky, shorter-lived, and could even save lives when the worst happens,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, said when she signed those bills into law. Additional details It will take some time for North Carolina’s microgrids to be installed. Site selection is expected to begin this fall with project completion anticipated in June of 2027, the state said.
