SFCHC Switches on Solar Power

(front row to back row, left to right) Louise McCarthy, Community Clinic Association of L.A. County President & CEO; Audrey Simons, SFCHC CEO; Honorable Celeste Rodriguez, City of San Fernando Mayor; Mary Mendoza, City of San Fernando Vice Mayor; Victoria Garcia, City of San Fernando Councilmember; Andrew MacCalla, Collective Energy Co. Co-Founder & CEO; Jeremy Price, GRID Alternatives Installation Basic Training Graduate; Stella Ursua, GRID Alternatives Director of Community Engagement & Partnerships.

Photos by: Photography By Zarek

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On August 8, SFCHC joined with local leaders and community partners to inaugurate its new solar panel project in celebration of National Health Center Week Stakeholder Appreciation Day. The theme of this year’s national campaign was “Powering Communities Through Caring Connections,” highlighting the vital role community health centers play in improving public health and advancing health equity. 

The 247-panel, $298,000 solar installation will support SFCHC’s mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate healthcare to the most vulnerable while reducing its carbon footprint. With an estimated annual production of 169,100 kilowatt-hours, it will provide 60% of the clinic’s energy and eliminate 130 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This is the equivalent of 302,000 vehicle miles driven and the carbon sequestered by 138 acres of forest every year. 

“As a federally qualified health center, we hold a special responsibility to protect the planet we all share,” said SFCHC CEO Audrey Simons. “Improving the health of our community and preserving the environment are intrinsically linked.” 

Through an energy services agreement, the solar provider Collective Energy Co. developed and financed the solar installation at no upfront cost to the clinic. This funding solution helps non-profit community health centers lower their utility costs, advance environmental sustainability and pursue the option to install battery storage that provides electricity during power outage emergencies. 

(left to right) Mary Mendoza, City of San Fernando Vice Mayor; Honorable Celeste Rodriguez, City of San Fernando Mayor; Audrey Simons, SFCHC CEO.

The solar project was made possible by SFCHC’s close partnership with the City of San Fernando, which owns the building and provided swift approval for work to commence. “Powering the San Fernando Community Health Center with solar energy marks a key step in our commitment to environmental justice,” said City of San Fernando Mayor Celeste Rodriguez. “We’re proud to partner with SFCHC on our city’s first-ever solar panel project at a city facility, as we make progress toward a sustainable future.”

Jeremy Price, GRID Alternatives Basic Training Graduate

Additionally, the solar panels were mounted by GRID Alternatives, a non-profit organization that provides workforce training opportunities to individuals in disadvantaged communities preparing for jobs in the clean energy sector.

Click here to view a four-minute video describing how the SFCHC clean energy project became a reality, how health centers can be leaders in the clean energy transition and why these projects can mean so much to the community.

Author

Stacy Geere PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING CONSULTANT - Stacy T. Geere is founder and principal of The Geere Group, a full-service public relations and marketing consulting firm. She has over three decades of diverse experience working with clients in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Stacy has supported high-profile projects in relation to healthcare, environmental sustainability, water and energy conservation, transportation, land use development and other complex issues. Her work has earned both local and national recognition. Stacy has a passion for volunteering her time and leadership to philanthropic causes and is a published book author. www.thegeeregroup.com