Case Study – Stafford Hill Solar Farm and Microgrid

Vermont’s largest utility installed a solar+storage microgrid in Rutland, VT that saves hundreds of thousands of dollars and can supply backup power to an emergency shelter. This case study includes technical and financial details, as well as lessons learned over the course of the project.

The Stafford Hill microgrid was supported by a joint federal/state energy storage deployment grant awarded in a solicitation issued by Vermont Department of Public Service. The grant was the result of a collaborative effort between VT Department of Public Safety, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity (DOE-OE), Sandia National Laboratories, and Clean Energy States Alliance. Dr. Imre Gyuk, manager of DOE-OE’s energy storage program, was particularly pleased with this project, noting, “This project provides resilient power during emergencies while benefitting the grid at other times. The technical innovations will reduce cost and make the project commercially viable…. This is the perfect project! It has social value, technical innovation, and furthers renewable integration for the grid.”

More information and resources related to the Stafford Hills Solar Farm and Microgrid project are available here.