Our Home on the Road

The Sugar Hollow Solar Power House is our mobile solar education station and community engagement hub—a colorful, solar-powered trailer that brings clean energy learning to life across Western North Carolina.

Designed to spark curiosity and conversations, the Power House is equipped with rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and hands-on educational displays that walk visitors through how solar energy works and why it matters. It’s not just a trailer—it’s a rolling classroom and a symbol of what’s possible when creativity, sustainability, and resilience come together.

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From Floodwaters to Forward Momentum

After Hurricane Helene swept through our region, our Biltmore Village warehouse was left underwater. We lost tools, inventory, and critical systems. But thanks to quick thinking, the Power House trailer was spared—moved just in time to a nearby lot. That act of foresight kept hope alive.

What followed was a story of resilience, community, and unexpected second chances. From stripping the trailer for emergency parts to reviving a battery that had been submerged for over 15 hours, we faced the unknown with determination and support from incredible partners like FranklinWH, whose donation helped us safely test and restore the system.

Now, the Power House is fully recharged and back on the road—stronger than ever and filled with purpose.

Read the full story of its revival on our blog: From Floodwaters to Forward Momentum

Asheville artist Jonathan Bidwell painting a sunrise on a small mobile solar-powered building.

A Work of Art and a Labor of Love

Inspired by the Southern Appalachian landscape, the Power House is painted in radiant hues of sunrise and mountain silhouettes by Asheville artist Jonathan Bidwell. It’s built to stand out—and to invite people in. Whether you're a curious student, a lifelong learner, or just passing by, we hope you take a moment to explore this vibrant and inspiring space.

See It in Action

We take the Power House on the road to community events, festivals, and schools throughout the year. From solar-powered music to hands-on energy demos, we’re passionate about helping people connect the dots between local action and global impact.

Check out our Upcoming Events to see where the Power House is headed next.

Want to bring the Power House to your event? Get in touch with us!

Explore how Solar and Battery Backup Solutions Work

Perhaps you're here because you're eager to delve deeper into the science behind solar and battery backup technology, which is another thing our team of experts loves to share with community members. Here’s an excerpt from our Solar Solutions Guide for Businesses and Nonprofits and our Solar Curious Guide for Homeowners that helps break some of this down:

Diagram showing how a solar panel is made, showing the wires on the back of the panel and the solar cells on the front of the panel.

Solar Panels

Solar Panels are made up of many small squares called cells, these cells convert sunlight into power. Solar cells are connected together beneath glass in a grid pattern. This arrangement of cells combines their generated power and sends it out of wires on the back of the panel.

Diagram showing a grid of solar panels.

Solar Array

When panels are installed, their wires are connected together to create an array. Much like the solar cells, the panels are also arranged into a grid pattern. Now that all of the panels are connected, the power they create is flowing the same direction. But before that power can be used, there’s one more step.

Diagram showing how solar panels work in a house, showing the solar panels mounted to the roof and connected to the inverter, meter, and power grid, powering electric items inside the home.

Using Solar Electricity

Before the electricity from the panels can be used, it must first be converted. This is because solar panels create DC (Direct Current) power, and our homes and appliances use AC (Alternating Current) power.

To convert the generated electricity, the power passes through an inverter, inverting the current and creating AC power. Now that power can be used to power homes, appliances, and charge cars.

Diagram showing how solar panels produce electricity from the sun and use it to power home appliances.

Battery Benefits

Solar panels are great at producing electricity while the sun is shining, however once night falls, their energy production drops to near zero.

***Fun note: On bright nights, solar panels will see minor energy production from moonlight!

How it Works

Battery Backup is a solution to a lack of sunlight, as well as other concerns. Batteries store the excess power that solar panels produce and you don’t use immediately. The batteries can be configured to act as an emergency power source in the event of a power outage, or can be used to power your home in the evenings when power companies charge more for electricity.

Storing Solar Electricity

Battery Backup systems have various options to suit your needs. You can start small with a single battery to power essential appliances like your fridge or HVAC system during outages. Or, opt for a larger setup with multiple batteries for whole-home backup. If you want to learn more, Sugar Hollow Solar’s Energy Consultants can help you choose the perfect solution for your situation.

Eager to learn more?

Fill out our form here to receive an email with links to our comprehensive guides packed with valuable info for home owners or business and nonprofits, including:

  1. Top reasons to make the switch to solar and/or battery backup

  2. Essential solar vocabulary to help you speak the language

  3. Discounts and incentives that can slash your transition costs

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Get “The Solar Curious Handbook for Homeowners” or “The Solar Solutions Guide for Businesses and Organizations” today:



It's simple. It's sustainable. It's time.

Curious to learn how our artisanal process works to help homes, businesses and nonprofits maximize savings and lower carbon offset with clean energy?