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Archive for Middle Tennessee News

SLevy | March 29, 2013
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Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America Program

The Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant & Guaranteed Loan Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) published this morning. The program sets up an April 30, 2013 deadline for submission of REAP Grants and July 15, 2013 deadline for submission of REAP Guaranteed Loan.

Complete applications should be submitted to the Business Programs Specialist in the Area Office serving the County in which the project is located. A map of our Area Offices and their respective areas can be found at the following link, click on the map of Tennessee to find the applicable office:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/TN-Contacts.html

Application material may be found online at the following link:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/TN-Energy.html

The NOFA is attached in this email and indicates that the program will have $10.4 Million available Nationally for REAP Grants and $43.4 Million for REAP Guaranteed Loans. At this time we do not know what Tennessee’s allocation level will be.

Competition will be very intense with limited funds this year. Please contact the Business Programs Specialist in the applicable Area Office for further information. Please share this
e-mail with any interested parties.

Best Regards,
Will
Will Dodson | Energy Coordinator
Business & Energy Programs
Rural Development – Tennessee State Office
U.S. Department of Agriculture
3322 West End Avenue, Ste. 300 | Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615-783-1350 | Fax: 615-783-1395
www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, East Tennessee News, financing, Grants and Incentives, jobs, Middle Tennessee News, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Tennessee, West Tennessee News |
SLevy | March 27, 2013
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Nominate an expert to the TVA board — Are you kidding?

personal note: I would have never guessed that our U.S. Senators would oppose the nomination of one of this country’s most outstanding expert in the area of money saving energy efficiency. Why?? I ask each of our readers to let their two senators hear their opinion as the Brown nomination

Our Tennessee senators don’t like whom our president is trying to reappoint to the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors: an expert on energy issues. Dr. Marilyn Brown, a Georgia Tech professor and former research administrator at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory with a long list of work and research mostly ending in “energy efficiency,” has been re-nominated by President Obama to a term on the TVA board after she’d been vetoed here at home back in January.

The nomination, sent to Capitol Hill Thursday night, comes more than two months after Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker used Senate procedures to block Obama’s previous attempt to appoint her to a six-year term.

Brown, who came to the board in 2010 to fill out the a vacated term and served through the end of 2012, is widely recognized for her expertise in energy efficiency and other “sustainable” energy policies. She teaches in Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy after formerly working for the Department of Energy at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“This is another example of the Obama White House not listening,” Alexander said in a statement Friday.

“I told the White House in advance that the TVA board needs a nominee with a better understanding of the relationship between low electricity rates and better jobs in the Tennessee Valley. The Senate now has the responsibility to exercise its constitutional role of advice and consent on the nominee.”

Corker was even more critical.

“TVA needs leaders who enthusiastically support the mission of producing economical electricity and have an abiding appreciation of its important economic development role and impact on the well-being of Valley residents,” he said.

“Unfortunately, during my discussions with Dr. Brown, it was clear she does not share that point of view.”

original article here and Sundog Blog

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, East Tennessee News, Global, jobs, Middle Tennessee News, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Technology, Tennessee |
SLevy | March 23, 2013
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LETTER: Elected officials must promote clean energy laws

Judging by the recent layoffs at Hemlock, it would seem that the Chinese clean energy industry is an unstoppable juggernaut.
However, a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that US companies held a $1.6 billion dollar surplus in clean energy trade with China in 2011.
While the layoffs are disheartening, statistics show America’s clean energy market is stronger than ever. In fact, Tennessee is at the forefront of the clean energy economy in the United States.
Examples in Tennessee range from electric vehicle manufacturing at Nissan North America Headquarters to the recent launch of a solar farm at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga.
As more companies tap in to the clean energy economy, it is vital that our elected officials promote laws to help America stay in the lead.

Investments in research and innovation, encouraging domestic demand and supporting overseas sales are all vital to success. Now, more than ever, it is up to Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander to lead to promote clean energy measures for our state and our nation.
America cannot afford to come in second place.

JOE SCHILLER

Clarksville, 37044

originally published by Leaf Chronicle

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, jobs, Middle Tennessee News, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Tennessee, Training |
SLevy | March 23, 2013
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Larisa Brass: State’s solar strategists’ hopes not dimmed for industry

Tennessee’s solar industry appeared ready to shine when two of the world’s largest companies involved in the manufacture of photovoltaic panels announced plans to invest billions in the state.

Four years later, global economics and local policy have raised questions about the brightness of the alternative energy’s future.

Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie have both delayed their production for the polysilicon used to make solar panels. Hemlock laid off 300 employees at its $1.2 billion plant in Clarksville, Tenn. before production began, while Wacker Chemie has slowed construction of its Cleveland, Tenn., plant with an eye towards postponing its opening until 2015.

In Georgia, following a state-mandated, 50-megawatt pilot project, the utility has chosen to develop 260 additional megawatts of solar power, which will be purchased at no additional cost to customers and reflects the energy source’s increasing affordability.
Volkswagen invested in solar energy because of its environmental commitment, not to save money right away, says Guenther Scherelis, the company’s Chattanooga spokesman.

The 33-acre installation helped Volkswagen become the first automotive plant in the world to achieve the U.S. Building Council’s LEED Platinum certification.

“Sustainability is one of our core values of the group,” Scherelis says. “We assume that in the long-term, energy prices will go up.”

Matt Kisber says changes in state incentives, a potential property tax increase for solar installations and cutbacks in TVA programs promoting renewable energy have made solar development in Tennessee more difficult. “My sense is companies want to locate and do business in states and communities where they feel appreciated and wanted,” he says. “The state needs to have policies that support their activities. … Georgia has taken our place (in developing solar as a power source). And they’re doing it for economic development objectives. There are a number of other Southeastern states that are actively recruiting (solar manufacturers).”

original article

Category: Business / Economics, financing, Grants and Incentives, jobs, Middle Tennessee News, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Tennessee |
SLevy | October 9, 2012
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Solar Manufacturing Supply Chain Focus Group to Meet

You are invited!
SOLAR MANUFACTURING SUPPLY CHAIN
FOCUS GROUP

Designed to help determine what services your company needs to prosper and grow market share in the solar renewable energy markets. Facilitators include Facilitators Jim Haider, PE, energy specialist, Dale Reckman, director of field services for WIRE-Net’s Great Lakes WIND Network™ both with BlueGreen Alliance Foundation, and Chris Wright, a business improvement consultant with The University of Tennessee’s Center of Industrial Services.

When: Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Central Time Zone
Where: UT Center for Industrial Services 193 Polk Ave., Suite C, Nashville TN
Cost: None, attendance and parking is free

For more information or registration: RSVP to Chris Wright, UTCIS (chris.wright@tennessee.edu) at 615-532-862511/7/12. Space is limited.

Category: Business / Economics, Global, Middle Tennessee News, Renewable Energy, Solar, Technology, Tennessee |
SPartin | September 20, 2012
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Recent Customer Experience Develops New Solar Service

The owners of one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Tennessee partnered with ARiES Energy to fix a warranty issue with one of the system’s inverters.  While fixing this problem, the experts at ARiES Energy saw a serious issue with the system’s wiring.  Due to improper wiring, the system was losing 4% of the system’s solar power production.  Our inspection caught this mistake, increasing the company’s revenue by thousands of dollars.

Based on our experience with this customer, ARiES Energy decided to provide a service to guarantee optimal performance for solar PV system owners.

We are proud to announce our new Solar Maintenance Program to ensure your solar system is working at maximum efficiency.  Under the Solar Maintenance Agreement, we will give your solar system a top-down inspection to determine how your system is performing.

We will identify and fix problems that are preventing optimal performance, and take care of warranty claims so you don’t miss a beat while you are taking care of your day-to-day responsibilities.

Monthly Service:

  • Review utility bills/solar system performance benchmarking

Annual Service:

  • Inspect solar panel connections
  • Test output and compare warranty
  • Inspect solar panel’s physical condition
  • Inspect inverter and protection devices
  • Full Performance Assessment 
  • Pressure wash and clean solar panels (200 kW and greater)

Service as Needed:

  • Prepare and submit any warranty claims
  • Repair or replace defective solar panels at a discounted rate

Check out our website at www.ARiESEnergy.com, and view our references at www.ARiESEnergy.com/Recommendations.  Interested in learning more? E-mail stefan@ariesenergy.com or call 865-309-4NRG.

Category: Business / Economics, East Tennessee News, Middle Tennessee News, Renewable Energy, Solar, Technology |
SLevy | August 30, 2012
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Tennessee’s largest solar park under construction

Phoenix Solar is installing over 33,000 PV modules at Volkswagon’s plant in Chattanooga in Tennessee, US.

The ground-mounted project, which costs in the region of US$30 million, is said to be Tennessee’s largest solar park when complete.
The plant will have a total capacity of 9.58MW and is being built on 65 acres of land. Electricity generated from the PV system will be fed directly into the Chattanooga Volkswagon plant and is expected to meet 12.5% of the plant’s energy demands. Citing Thilo Brockhaus, Volkswagon’s manager of the plant construction, WDEF revealed that the solar array would produce 13.1GWh of electricity on an annual basis.

The PV system is expected to begin supplying power to the Chattanooga plant this autumn.
original article

Category: Business / Economics, financing, Middle Tennessee News, Renewable Energy, Solar, Tennessee |
SLevy | August 26, 2012
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Solar Panels For Sale For Duck River Customers

see news storyThanks to Gary Wolf of Sundog Solar for this new announcement. This is the first community solar project in Tennessee and maybe in the TVA region so precedent has been set and hope it grows.
BEDFORD COUNTY, Tenn.- For the first time Solar Farm panels are up for sale in Bedford County and any Duck River Electric customer can purchase one and whatever energy it brings in will be deducted from their bill.
Several local elementary students got an up close look at a new solar farm working in their own community. The panels are a $600 investment. The more the sun shines, the less that customer will pay on their electric bill.
“Using last month as an example 4,000 kilowatt hours were produced so if you invested in half a panel you would have seen somewhere around a 4.50 credit on your electric bill,” said Brad Gibson, with Duck River Electric Company.
The solar farm is the first of its kind in the TVA Valley. And while the savings won’t put a customer into early retirement, it can take 20 years to truly turn a profit, many said its more about being a part of a bigger push for solar in Shelbyville.
There are 261 panels up for sale and anyone in the 17 counties that use Duck River Electric can purchase one. Officials said if this pilot program is successful they will build more in the future.

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, jobs, Middle Tennessee News, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Tennessee |
SLevy | August 22, 2012
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TenneSEIA’s 1st Annual Golf Tournament

TenneSEIA First Golf Tournament

TenneSEIA will host TenneSEIA’s 1st Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, October 11, at Gaylord Springs Golf Links Course in Nashville, Tennessee. Efficient Energy of Tennessee, LLC (EETN) is the title sponsor of the inaugural event. EETN is a turnkey installer of solar photovoltaic/solar thermal systems based out of Powell, Tennessee.
All TenneSEIA members and the public are invited for an afternoon of golf, camaraderie and lunch. Don’t miss the opportunity to mingle with TenneSEIA members and affiliates from around the state while enjoying a round of golf on one of Tennessee’s premier golf courses.
To sign up please visit: http://www.eetenn.com/about_us/golf_tournament_form.aspx or fill in the registration PDF form and return to EETN at the address below. Early bird registration will be available through August 31st. Registration will be available through September 11, 2012.
Hole and Tee sponsorships are available to showcase your company. For more information on becoming a sponsor please review the sponsorship PDF form or go online to sign up at: http://www.eetenn.com/golf_sponsorship_form.aspx.
Donations for prizes are currently being accepted. To make a donation please call EETN at (865) 947-3386.

NOTE: If you can’t find a team of 4 players, you can still register for the tournament as an individual and we will group you with other players. The individual fee is just ¼ of the team fee ($87.50 per player before Aug 31, $93.75 after Sept 1). Again, if you have a conflict or would prefer not to golf, you can still support the industry and TenneSEIA by sponsoring a hole or tee. Thank you.

Category: Call to Action, Fun, Middle Tennessee News, Solar |
SLevy | August 3, 2012
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Latest NREL Report Suggests that Tennessee Has a Solar PV Potential of 20 Times the Amount of Electricity Used in the State

In a government report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory demonstrates the tremendous potential for solar energy generation in Tennessee. The report estimates the technical potential of solar PV as well as other renewable power sources for the production of electrical power. It is a study of the potential based on renewable resource availability and quality, technical system performance, topographic limitations, environmental, and land-use constraints only. The study does not consider the economic, political or market constraints. In 2010, Tennessee used 103,522 GWh (103,522,000,000 kWh). The report estimates that the total solar potential including rural and urban utility-scale PV as well as roof-top solar would amount to 2,295,918 GWh.

The full report can be found here

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, East Tennessee News, financing, Grants and Incentives, Middle Tennessee News, National, Political, PV Tech Newscast, Renewable Energy, Solar, West Tennessee News |
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