New Permanent Solar System Installed
Cut off for weeks after Hurricane Helene in 2024 by flooding, landslides, and destroyed roads, Broad River and Garrens Creek fire departments became lifelines for residents left without power. A new permanent solar microgrid at Broad River Fire & Rescue now ensures first responders can keep medicine safe, power critical equipment, and maintain communications during future crises.
A group of partners worked together on this project: Footprint Project, Fortress Power, and Sundance Power Systems:
- Footprint Project donated twenty-six Solaria PowerX 400-watt modules, and paid for both the installation and APA ground mount system
- Fortress Power donated two Envy 12K inverters and six eFlex Max 5.4kwh batteries.
- Sundance Power Systems handled the installation and technical support for the project, with Vice President Brian Hollister leading the way.
Footprint Project Mission: Build Back Greener
Based in New Orleans, Footprint Project is a rapid response team that seeks to provide cleaner energy for communities in crisis. Footprint has assisted in disaster recovery all over the world, from the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires, to hurricane response in Western North Carolina, Florida, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and more. When Helene hit in late September 2024, Footprint connected with people and groups here, including Sundance. Many partners worked tirelessly to provide crucial energy to areas that were completely knocked off grid. The Broad River and Garrens Creek Fire Departments were among those deeply affected by the storm. The first priority was to get power back for communications and emergency response systems. From those efforts, several long-term energy solutions have developed, including the solar system at Broad River FD.
Resilience Hubs
“Resilience Hub installations are permanent improvements to trusted local spaces such as fire and rescue stations…These projects, driven by a small group of determined partners, have accelerated Appalachia’s long-term resilience and preparedness.”
(Click here for a more detailed look at Footprint’s efforts in WNC.)
North Carolina Launches Clean Energy Microgrid Initiative to Boost Disaster Resilience
The state of North Carolina recently announced a $5 million investment in solar and battery storage microgrids for emergency responders and community-based organizations.
Land of Sky Regional Council will be facilitating this innovative program in WNC. This initiative will help build resiliency of emergency response organizations throughout Western NC.
Fortress Power Steps Up
Founded in 2016 and based in Pennsylvania, Fortress Power is a leader in the solar industry. Fortress provides “advanced energy storage systems designed to deliver real savings, real resilience, and long-term performance — whether you’re powering a single home or an entire facility.” This company has been integral in building these resilience hubs here in Western NC and elsewhere. Sundance thanks them for their generosity and support!
Pictures from System Commissioning on Nov 7, 2025
