Construction Begins on Microgrid Project for Valley Children’s Healthcare

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Valley Children’s Healthcare’s microgrid project. Located in Madera County, California, it will be one of the largest renewable energy microgrids in the U.S. connected to a hospital emergency system. Project partners include Mazzetti and Faraday Microgrids.

Valley Children’s microgrid will incorporate renewable energy technologies, including solar photovoltaic materials designed in the shape of the hospital’s beloved mascot, George the Giraffe. When operational in 2025, the microgrid will cover 80% of the hospital’s energy needs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% and save $15 million in energy costs during the next 25 years. Importantly, it will ensure the hospital remains fully functional at all times, even during regional power outages.

In 2023, Valley Children’s joined the U.S Department of Energy’s Better Climate Challenge, an initiative aimed at accelerating decarbonization across various sectors in the country.