The solar power revolution has (finally) arrived. Are you ready to tap in?
Solar energy’s popularity and time in the Tennessee Valley sun may very well be now. Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke’s office houses the Department of Sustainability for the city which is tasked with championing the integration of sustainability, including solar projects, into the execution of citywide initiatives.
Partnering with the city are non-profits, like Green|Spaces, which look to advance solar energy agendas in the region. And consumers have more options than ever with residential, commercial and agricultural solar applications becoming more affordable and practical.
In 2012, then Mayor Ron Littlefield enacted an executive order to reduce overall energy use in city buildings 35 percent by 2020 relative to 2010 levels. The Office of Sustainability coordinates the implementation of this executive order.
The Office of Sustainability was created to lead the Chattanooga Green effort. In order to meet the goals of the Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in 2008 under Mayor Littlefield’s administration, the city is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable community. Solar energy’s part of the plan falls under the department’s study of alternative energy sources for the city.
Erik Schmidt, Director of Sustainability for the city, has the unique challenge of identifying and driving sustainable practices from within city operations. “There’s no point in putting solar arrays on your rooftop if you are losing energy elsewhere,” he says. “We work closely with the Electric Power Board, who provides free energy assessments to homeowners and businesses, before we look at renewable energy options.”
When Mayor Burke announced the city's inclusion in the Department of Energy’s Better Building Challenge earlier this year, solar was a key point in the initiative. As an extension of the challenge, the mayor just announced the city’s involvement in SolSmart, where the city pledges to provide human capital, ingenuity, improvements in processes, and to identify and leverage other available resources. “Through our commitment, we will facilitate measureable increases in solar installations on private and public properties within the city limits” says Berke. “To achieve these results, the city will continue to partner with local foundations, nonprofits and businesses, as well as government agencies at all levels.”
“A good example of teaming up with the community is our work with Chattanooga State,” says Schmidt. “We train students to know what we’re looking for in the field. It helps streamline the process and gets everyone onboard in our solar efforts.”
Another nonprofit the city is partnering with to promote its solar agenda is Green|Spaces. Michael Walton, executive director of the organization, spearheads advocacy and incentive campaigns, education and training classes, design competitions, and other programs, to advance the sustainability of living, working, and building in Chattanooga.
“We’ve provided incentives and consulting for some of the first solar arrays in Chattanooga,” says Walton. “Restaurants, like 212 Market, are a part of our Green Light Program, Chattanooga’s Green Business Certification.” The Green Light Program evaluates the organization’s size and type and helps it create a step-by-step sustainability plan, of which solar energy recommendation can come into play.
Green|Spaces also partners with others to introduce NextGen Homes, a demonstration development of net zero energy homes. “These homes will help drive demand for healthy, high performance homes with enough rooftop solar to generate as much energy as the home used in a year,” says Walton. The active on-site generation of renewable energy is in the form of a 6 kW solar photovoltaic array mounted to the roof.
The nonprofit is also working closely with the city and the Electric Power Board for the Department of Energy’s Clean Energy in Low Income Communities Accelerator. “We are developing scalable programs to build rooftop and community solar for those that need it most,” says Walton. EPB announced a few months ago the selection of Tennessee Valley Alternative Energy to construct Solar Share, Chattanooga’s first community solar power generation project.
Solar Share is a partnership between EPB and Tennessee Valley Authority to build a renewable power-generating facility at EPB’s Distribution Center at North Holtzclaw Avenue and Oak Street. The pilot project is expected to generate about 1.35 megawatts of renewable electric power, which is enough to meet the needs of about 200 homes. The project should be completed by the summer of 2017.
But Schmidt emphasizes residential and commercial applications, not just government, in the success of solar. He recently met with about 40 solar and electrical vendors to share information and provide feedback on their solar progression. “If we don’t engage the solar vendor community, we are not going to see this renewable source really take off.”
And this is really where the rubber meets the road when it comes to small businesses and homeowners.
“It really starts with educating the customer,” says Ginny Kincer of Tennessee Solar Solutions. “I like to ask them about their motivation and of course about their property, timeframe and budget.”
By installing renewable energy generation equipment such as solar, customers may qualify for some federal tax credits and agricultural businesses, such as farms, may receive grants for the construction of the project.
“We walk customers step-by-step through the process,” says Kincer. “Labor, permits, materials, you name it.”
“We can change sunlight directly to electricity using solar cells we install”, says Kincey. In a sort of solar 101, the company makes sure every customer understands the basics.
Every day, light hits your roof’s solar panels with photons (particles of sunlight). The solar panel converts those photons into electrons of direct current (“DC”) electricity. The electrons flow out of the solar panel and into an inverter and other electrical safety devices. The inverter converts that “DC” power (commonly used in batteries) into alternating current or “AC” power. AC power is the kind of electricity that your television, computer, and toasters use when plugged into the wall outlet.
Solar water heating systems also can be installed on most homes, and are comprised of a solar collector, insulated piping, and a hot water storage tank. Electronic controls can also be included, as well as a freeze protection system for colder climates. The solar collector gathers the heat from solar radiation and transfers the heat to potable water. This heated water flows out of the collector to a hot water tank, and is used as necessary. Auxiliary heating can remain connected to the hot water tank for backup if necessary.
TVA will then purchase 100 percent of the green power output, paying the current electric rate for all output. Payment is made in the form of a credit issued by EPB on the monthly power bill for the home or business where the generation system is located—and guaranteed for ten years from the date of the contract.
Properties that are on the power grid are duel-metered. One meter records all the energy produced. The other solar meter actually puts electricity back onto the grid. For those in more remote locations, an off-the-grid system might make more sense.
“If you live in a rural area, you might be last on the list for power restoration during severe weather,” says Kincer. “With an off-the-grid system you can rest assured you won’t be without power.” Battery technologies are also making major strides in the solar sector. You can even have a hybrid system says Kincer. “You can have a solar system installed that is powered by and connected to the grid, but you can also have batteries included in your system. This can help make sure appliances like refrigerators and freezers are continually powered.”
Kincer wants customers to know what they are getting themselves into. “This is not a weekend warrior project,” she says. “It does take some planning.”
She makes sure to dispel some myths about solar. “It’s not expensive,” she says. “There are no sparks and the solar panels are not going to slide off your roof.” Modern solar systems are very quiet and can be compared to electric vehicles.
Technically, those with solar arrays do not produce their own energy. They generate renewable energy through their renewable installation and sell all of it through EPB’s smart grid to TVA as a part of its Green Power Providers program.
In the end, both the EPB and solar energy vendors are looking for ways to work together to provide installations to those most qualified of customers.
“Solar is not for everyone,” says Kincer. “But for those who do qualify, they will be lifting a financial burden off their communities. The product really does sell itself. They will also be generating passive income for themselves.”
He adds, “After you have the equipment paid off, your solar arrays will last for another 20 to 25 years. There are lots of ways to feel good about this technology. There’s nothing like getting a check in the mail or seeing a credit on your electric bill for the power you’ve generated.”
Tennessee Solar Solutions will be hosting an open house next Thursday evening, December 1st from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Green’s Eco Build and Design, 1510 Riverside Dr. Bring your power bill for an on the spot quote.