NEWS

Solar Micro-Grid Project Strengthens Power Reliability for Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. Douglas Clinics

A major energy resilience project is nearing completion in Douglas, Arizona, where Chiricahua Community Health Centers is installing a 312-panel solar system paired with 500 kWh of battery storage across four facilities.

Reliable healthcare depends on reliable power. In a region experiencing frequent outages, monsoon storms, extreme heat, and wildfire risk, Chiricahua’s solar and battery micro-grid will help ensure that patient care and lifesaving services continue uninterrupted.

Solar Energy Supporting Rural Healthcare

The system is expected to generate approximately 347,534 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, providing 100 percent of standard operating power for the buildings. Most importantly, the battery storage component will allow clinics to continue operating even when the electric grid is shut down.

Power reliability is a real challenge in Douglas. Severe weather and climate extremes can disrupt electricity, putting vaccines, medications, and patient care systems at risk. This micro-grid helps protect critical healthcare infrastructure and strengthens community resilience.

Supporting Patient Care in a Border Community

In 2025, Chiricahua’s Douglas medical clinics cared for 12,469 patients across 36,368 visits. For a rural border community, uninterrupted access to healthcare is essential. This investment helps ensure care delivery continues even during power disruptions.

Cost Stability Through Clean Energy Investment

The project was developed through an energy services agreement with Collective Energy Company, allowing installation with no upfront cost while maintaining monthly payments comparable to existing electric bills. Federal clean energy incentives helped make the financing possible and accelerated the timeline to ownership.

Building a More Resilient Future

As the system comes online later this spring, Douglas gains more than renewable energy. The community gains resilience, cost stability, and a stronger foundation for care in a region where dependable power is critical to community health.