Solar Spotlight: 180kW atop Hickman County Municipal Buildings
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In fall 2018, LightWave Solar commissioned several solar electric systems for the benefit of Hickman County in Tennessee, totaling 180 kilowatts across four sites. We installed 515 solar panels, 11 inverters and online monitoring that tracks the generation of all four systems.
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Like many counties, cities and universities across the country, Hickman County entered into an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) to install building improvements, such as new lighting technology, water-conserving fixtures, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades and solar panels, without tapping the county’s capital budget. The energy savings and other improvements pay for the upgrades over time. NORESCO, a national leader in energy efficiency and energy infrastructure solutions, worked directly with Hickman County to provide energy audits, design, construction and a funding guarantee of the project structured through the ESPC.
Brian Stone, Senior Account Executive, NORESCO, said, “Our energy savings project with Hickman County provides an innovative mix of renewable energy assets and traditional building improvements to help the county optimize energy and water savings and fiscal stewardship.”
In terms of the solar savings alone, Hickman County can expect to see about $20,000 in annual savings over the next three decades, and even more as rates increase. The rooftop solar systems are connected to the Hickman County Justice Center, Detention Center, Administration Building and Emergency Operations Office.
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To make the solar project as cost effective as possible, LightWave Solar scoped out more than a dozen potential sites to find the most suitable locations. We also designed all four systems to use the same kinds of inverters (pictured), 15kW and 12kW Fronius, as well as the same type of racking, Panel Claw Polar Bear, atop three of the four rooftops. An Ironridge racking system was installed on the Emergency Operations Office to reduce the impact of shade.
“LightWave and NORESCO worked closely to make sure Hickman County received the best value possible,” says JP Plumlee, LightWave Solar Project Developer. “Our teaming arrangement leveraged everyone’s strengths and made for a smooth project,” he says.
Contact LightWave Solar or reply to this email if you would like to explore solar for your county, city, business or home!
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USDA officially opens solar grant program
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The 2019 Farm Bill passed late last year, and it includes funding for USDA's popular Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants for renewable energy projects. The grants cover up to 25% of solar project costs for rural businesses (
check rural eligibility map here) as well as for farmers in any location.
With the application deadline of April 1, 2019, now is a great time to start the process. First, we will discuss your site's potential for solar as well as determine your grant eligibility. If you like our preliminary cost/savings estimates, we will conduct a site visit and present your formal proposal. Once you decide to move ahead, our in-house grant writer will assemble your grant application and make the process as simple as possible!
Our USDA grant approval record is 98%, so reply to this email to get started with your free preliminary estimate. Please provide your name, project address, and phone number. Or call us at 615-641-4050.
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Another NABCEP achievement by our team member!
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Congratulations to Jack Barksdale who is the latest LightWave employee to earn a full NABCEP solar certification. Jack earned a new type of NABCEP certification, PV Design Specialist, and he is the first person in Tennessee to earn it!
NABCEP stands for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, and it is the most respected national certification organization for renewable energy professionals.
Jack graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in Electrical Engineering and joined LightWave Solar in 2017. He is our Design Engineer and focuses on residential solar plus storage system design. With Jack's certification, LightWave Solar now has 9 NABCEP certificate holders on staff. Way to go Jack!
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Where we've been installing...
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9.7kW at residence in Tullahoma, TN
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69kW at Cox Tractor in Kingsport, TN
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Our technicians providing O&M on 12.5MW in Indianapolis, IN
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798 solar installations and counting...
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