Powered by Partnership: Solar Storage Project
On Monday, August 3, North Side Christian Health Center (NSCHC), alongside Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Mayor Corey O’Connor, community leaders, funders, and project partners, celebrated the activation of a new solar and battery energy system that will help ensure uninterrupted access to healthcare services during power outages and emergencies. The event, held during National Community Health Center Week, marked the culmination of a collaborative effort among NSCHC, Invest in our Future, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Direct Relief, Collective Energy, Memorial Park Church., and other community partners committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving community resilience. The solar and battery system provides critical backup power capabilities that will help protect vaccine supplies, maintain electronic medical records, support virtual care services, and ensure patients continue receiving essential healthcare services when electrical service is disrupted.
"Today represents more than the completion of a solar project. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that patients can access care when they need it most," said Bethany Blackburn, CEO of North Side Christian Health Center. "This investment strengthens our ability to serve the community during emergencies while safeguarding critical healthcare resources and preserving continuity of care."
innovative partnerships advance both community health and long-term resilience
“This effort perfectly aligns with The Pittsburgh Foundation's priorities of supporting the community, cultivating partnerships and leveraging resources for exceptional sustained impact," said Dr. Michael Yonas, vice president for community partnerships and learning at The Pittsburgh Foundation. "Building on a longstanding relationship with the North Side Christian Health Center, we are excited to facilitate and support an effort that brings together local leaders, innovative partners and national funders to create lasting impact for our region.”
"Through philanthropic support from Direct Relief's Power for Health Initiative, community health centers across the country are building the resilient power infrastructure they need to remain operational during power outages and other emergencies. When the power goes out, people don't stop needing healthcare—in fact, that's often when they need it most. As the first project in Pennsylvania to become operational through the initiative, North Side Christian Health Center joins a growing nationwide cohort of safety-net health facilities strengthening healthcare resilience. By investing in resilient power today, NSCHC is helping ensure patients can continue receiving care tomorrow," said Sara Rossi, Managing Director of Direct Relief's Health Resiliency Fund.
"Collective Energy was founded with the realization that power is a prerequisite for health and because health centers like North Side Christian needed a trusted partner and ally to assist them in bringing a project like this to fruition. We’re honored to be their lead partner in this critical project so they can stay focused on what they do best — providing quality healthcare to anyone who walks in the doors. And now they can do it with the knowledge that it won’t be interrupted due to power loss," said Andrew MacCalla, Co-Founder and CEO of Collective Energy.
The project was funded through philanthropic support from Direct Relief and Invest in Our Future, together with The Pittsburgh Foundation and leveraged federal clean energy tax credits that helped attract additional community investment. Together, these resources enabled NSCHC to complete this critical infrastructure project without diverting funding from patient care.
The project demonstrates how healthcare providers, philanthropic partners, and community organizations can work together to strengthen healthcare resilience while helping community health centers prepare for future emergencies.
"As a community health center, our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality care for everyone who walks through our doors," Blackburn added. "This project helps ensure we can continue fulfilling that mission, even during unexpected disruptions."
