Project Spotlight: Solar + Battery Backup at the Grant Residence
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In 2015 we installed a grid-tied solar system for Greg Grant at his home in Brentwood. At the time, Greg was interested in batteries, but we recommended he wait until storage technology improved. Now, in addition to his original 11kW grid-tied solar system, Greg has a new 5kW solar system with battery storage. The new system will further reduce his monthly electrical use as well as provide backup power during grid outages.
"My initial system has been so good and efficient that I wanted to make it even better," says Grant. "I wanted to do it while the tax incentives are still available," he says.
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Greg's new system includes 16 SunPower solar panels, a StorEdge inverter and two LG Chem lithium-ion batteries. During a grid outage, the system will provide 18.6 kilowatt-hours of stored electricity which will be enough to power his refrigerator, internet, security system, outside lights, 2 outlets in his kitchen, and 3 outlets and a ceiling fan in his bedroom.
"I was a boy scout, so I've always tried to be as prepared as possible," says Grant.
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Inside Greg's garage you can see two inverters on the right which are part of his original grid-tied solar system. On the left he has two LG Chem lithium-ion batteries with a StorEdge inverter in the middle. On a daily basis, Greg's new system reduces his electric use, which has increased recently since he's been charging his Prius Plug-in Hybrid car.
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Major U.S. businesses are choosing solar at a rapid rate to power their operations. SEIA’s Solar Means Business Report tracks a variety of commercial solar installations, including the top 25 corporate solar users, many of whom are Fortune 500 companies. Solar energy is a cost-effective way for businesses to generate the electricity they need for manufacturing, distribution, storage, retail, and many other applications.
The systems tracked in SEIA's report generate enough electricity to power 402,000 U.S. homes.
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For the second year in a row, Target took the top spot among U.S. companies with solar installations. In 2017 alone, Target added more than 40 megawatts of solar capacity to their portfolio, more than 23 U.S. states and more than any other U.S. retailer. This installation on a store in Staten Island, NY demonstrates the retail giant’s commitment to clean, affordable solar power.
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Solar Energy Workshop in Knoxville on June 7
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Please join us for a Solar Energy Workshop in Knoxville hosted by the Tennessee Solar Energy Association. LightWave Solar will present on how solar can work for homeowners. Food will be provided!
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Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 6pm-9pm
UT Conference Center
600 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
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TVA's Board Meeting is tomorrow. Join the Thunderclap about TVA's rate change!
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TVA's Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 10 in Florence, AL. At this meeting, TVA will vote on their proposed Grid Access Charge, a new fixed fee that would be added to your monthly electric bills, regardless of your electric usage. We encourage you to attend and make comments in support of solar and in opposition to fixed fees.
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Emerging Professionals Summer Social on May 26
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We are sponsoring the 3rd Annual Emerging Professionals Summer Social! It will be a fun evening of food, cornhole, raffle prizes and networking with young professionals in the engineering, construction, transportation, landscaping, and sustainability industries. The event is free, unless you want to compete in the cornhole tournament!
Thurs, May 31, 2018 from 5:30pm-8pm
Little Harpeth Brewing
30 Oldham Street, Nashville, TN 37213
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Where we've been installing...
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300kW at Interstate Packaging in Dickson, TN
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18kW at Residence in Franklin, TN
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19kW at Residence in Lebanon, TN
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10kW at Dowdle Construction in Nashville, TN. This photo shows their solar monitoring display.
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750 solar installations and counting...
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