Giraffe-shaped solar panels power Valley Children’s Healthcare
Valley Children's Healthcare
Madera, Calif.
Valley Children’s Healthcare’s giraffe-shaped, solar panel microgrid. Photo courtesy of Valley Children’s Healthcare.
Valley Children’s Healthcare in Madera, Calif., is protecting patient care, investing in energy independence and advancing its sustainability goals, all with a touch of whimsy. This summer, the pediatric health system installed an array of solar panels designed in the shape of its longtime mascot, George the Giraffe.
Located in California’s Central Valley, Valley Children’s developed a microgrid that will provide 80% of the organization’s power needs. Leaders say the project is aimed primarily at ensuring reliable electricity for critical hospital operations in a region where wildfires and grid disruptions can threaten power transmission.
“So first and foremost, it's about ensuring that our patient care is never interrupted, and that we do not have to rely upon external resources to meet our mission to the extent we're able,” President and CEO Todd Suntrapak said.
The initiative also reduces the health system’s carbon footprint by more than 50 percent and is expected to lower energy costs over time. Notably, Valley Children’s became the second pediatric hospital in the country to earn The Joint Commission’s sustainability certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainable solutions.