In the wake of Hurricane Helene, like so many across Western North Carolina, we at Sugar Hollow Solar found ourselves standing in floodwater, staring at what felt like the end of a chapter. Our beloved warehouse in Biltmore Village, once bustling with tools, inventory, and energy, was devastated. Trailers, forklifts, solar panels, and critical battery systems—all submerged.

But this is not a story about loss. It’s a story about resilience, community, and unexpected second chances.

*The Solar Power House at the Organic Growers School Spring Conference, March 2025.*

One of the first things we did after the storm passed was triage: what could be saved, and what was gone for good? Thankfully, our team had the foresight to move our vehicles and the Sugar Hollow Solar Power House trailer to a nearby parking lot ahead of the storm, sparing them from the flood. That quick thinking gave us a critical tool during recovery. We began stripping the trailer for parts—including the battery—repurposing anything we could to support emergency service efforts in the field.

*The Solar Power House at the Hendo Earth Fest, April 2025.*

Shortly after, we knew it was time to get the Power House back up and running—not for emergency response, but for the ongoing community events and outreach it was built to support. We turned our attention to a FranklinWH battery that had been submerged for over 15 hours in our flooded warehouse. It seemed unlikely it would still function—but with the trailer stripped for emergency parts, we were looking for any way to bring it back to life. By all logic, the battery should have been a total loss. But then something unexpected happened.

It started as a long shot—a flooded battery and a question: could it still work?

With little to lose and hope on our side, we decided to test the limits of what could be salvaged. The FranklinWH battery had been submerged for over 15 hours in our flooded warehouse, and by all reasonable expectations, it was a loss. Still, we reached out to our partners at FranklinWH to share what we were attempting. In response, they generously offered an AGate home energy management system to support our efforts. The AGate—a powerful unit that connects solar, storage, and the grid to intelligently manage and optimize home energy use—gave us the ability to test the system safely and effectively. To our surprise and relief, the battery came online. With FranklinWH’s help, we were able to bring the Sugar Hollow Solar Power House fully back to life.

Today, the Power House is back on the road. Recharged, both literally and symbolically.

More than just a mobile solar classroom, the Power House is a rolling symbol of the kind of future we’re working toward: clean, resilient, and rooted in community. When you see it parked at events across the region—painted with vibrant sunrise hues by Asheville artist Jonathan Bidwell—know that it carries more than technology. It carries a story of recovery, generosity, and a deep belief in what comes next.

This spring, we've been rolling through Western North Carolina, sharing the power of clean energy and community at some incredible events including the Organic Growers School Spring Conference, the WNC Build & Remodel Expo, Hendo Earth Fest, Spring Shakedown at Oskar Blues Brewery, and the LEAF Retreat.

*The Solar Power House at the WNC Build & Remodel Expo, March 2025.*

We’re incredibly grateful to FranklinWH for their partnership and support. Their donation helped us bring this trailer—and our mission—back to life. And to all of you who donated, volunteered, or simply reached out during our hardest days: thank you. Your encouragement has meant everything.

Here at Sugar Hollow, we’re guided by values passed down through four generations on this land—care, stewardship, and resilience. Hurricane Helene tested those values, but it didn’t shake them. If anything, it made them stronger.

We’re still rebuilding. We’re still adapting. But we’re also still here—and now, so is our Power House.

Want to see the Solar Power House in action? Catch it at our upcoming events! Check out the schedule: www.sugarhollowsolar.com/events