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Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) has been awarded a $450,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to build a solar-powered microgrid at Patrick Henry and William Fleming High Schools. The total project cost is $2.55 million, with RCPS not incurring any costs due to energy savings and revenue generation.

The microgrid will enhance the schools' emergency shelter capacity, providing 2 megawatts of solar power and 8 megawatt-hours of battery storage. Completion is expected by the end of 2026, resulting in an estimated $60.2 million in avoided costs over 35 years. The project reflects a commitment to renewable energy and emergency preparedness.