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What My Tour of an Arizona Microgrid Teaches Us About Energy Resiliency

Summary

Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona, serves as an example of how solar panels and energy storage contribute to energy resiliency, protecting communities from rising energy costs, power outages, and severe weather. Motivated by environmental stewardship, the church implemented a 10-kilowatt rooftop solar installation with a Tesla Powerwall battery, creating a microgrid. Despite an added renewable energy tariff, the church creatively combined the electrical service of two buildings to optimize solar power usage. The microgrid not only covers two-thirds of the church's energy needs but also serves a nearby house. This microgrid model, gaining popularity in houses of worship, highlights the role of distributed energy resources, such as solar panels and batteries, in enhancing community resilience during disasters. The article emphasizes the need for supportive policies and incentives to drive widespread microgrid deployment for a more resilient energy future.

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