With 103 solar PV panels and high efficiency lighting, Dry Valley Apartments is one of Tennessee's first apartment developments dedicated to lowering its carbon footprint. Solar energy generation will cover 50% of the electric costs of site lighting, the resort style pool and club house.

"We thought solar energy was a good direction for our newest development," says Putnam Properties President Martin Ing. "By investing in solar, we believe we are doing our part to help solar become a bigger part of the energy sector," Ing says.

Putnam Properties will receive the 30% federal tax credit and accelerated depreciation benefits that equal almost 60% of solar projects costs. In addition, the project was approved for a 25% grant from USDA's Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) which encourages businesses in rural areas to invest in solar.

"The USDA grant process was easy," says Ing. "LightWave handled all the difficult paperwork and was ultimately successful," he says.

Learn more about USDA's solar grant program in the article below!

• GPP will open on January 11, 2017, on a first-come, first-served basis and will close on December 15, 2017.
• Total capacity offered will be 10 MW (50/50% non-residential/residential split).
• The renewable energy generated will be purchased at the retail rate for the entirety of the 20 year contract.
• The system size will range from 0.5kW - 50kW.