KNOXVILLE: 2008 SOLAR AMERICA CITY

MORE INFO: 10/24/08 - City Kicks Off Solar America Cities Project Energy & Sustainability Task Force 03/28/08 - City Named Solar America City, Receives $200,000 Grant 03/28/08 - View City's Solar America Cities Application [PDF] DOE Solar America Cities Program In March of 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) named the City of Knoxville a partner in its Solar America Cities program. Through this partnership, Knoxville will be awarded $200,000 over a two-year period to help finance various initiatives developed to reduce barriers to local generation of solar power. In support, TVA is matching this grant with $50,000 annually. DOE will also contribute $200,000 worth of technical assistance towards the program initiatives, and TVA and KUB have both pledged additional technical and staff assistance. Ultimately, the City aims to achieve a sustainable solar infrastructure in Knoxville. The Solar America Cities partnership will jump start progress towards this goal by helping to fund the following initiatives: 1- Installation of a 4.8 kW solar power generation system at the new, LEED-certified downtown transit center 2- Integration of solar power in Community Development plans for affordable housing construction and renovation. 3- Design and financing of an educational exhibit to accompany the existing 15 kW solar power array at Ijams Nature Center. 4- Identification of local companies focused on solar power, renewable energy, and energy-efficient technologies and assessment of the challenges these companies face in increasing local demand. 5- Development of a website and other publicity materials that explain the technological and financial options available to those interested in installing a solar power system. 6- Development of locally offered, high quality solar installation certification courses to strengthen the local supply market. 7- Creation of technical training programs to educate relevant Knoxville, Knox County, and KUB staff on solar power generation such that solar power systems can be installed in a safe and timely manner. Solar America Cities Partners Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Public Building Authority Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) Ijams Nature Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) THE TIGER TEAM - A core group of representatives from the Solar America Cities partners will help the City implement the various initiatives planned. This group—the Tiger Team—is led by ORNL and FSEC and will provide the technical expertise and experience needed to make the initiatives successful. You can learn more details about Knoxville’s plans for utilizing the Solar America Cities funds in the application submitted to DOE. View the Application in [PDF] format HERE. View the Solar America Cities Program HERE. Financing Your Own Solar Power Various local, state, and federal incentive programs are in place to encourage installation of solar panels at residential homes and commercial buildings. If you are thinking about “going solar” at your home or business, consider taking advantage of the following programs and opportunities. TVA and KUB: Green Power Switch Generation Partners TVA encourages its residential and commercial customers to install on-site solar and wind generation facilities by offering to buy 100% of the power generated. TVA will purchase the energy output at a rate of 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is applied as a credit on the customer’s monthly utility bill. Residents may qualify for a $500 incentive to help offset the start-up costs of a solar array. KUB is a key partner in this program and implements Green Power Switch Generation Partners at the local utility level. Additional information regarding the TVA Green Power Switch Generation Partners program and its requirements can be found on the TVA website. KUB, TVA, and the City of Knoxville are also partnered in the Downtown Green Power Switch initiative. If you’re a downtown resident or business owner who’s not ready to commit to solar power production, you can still make a positive difference by signing up for Green Power Switch. CLICK HERE to learn more. State of Tennessee Solar Incentives for Businesses Tennessee Clean Energy Technology Grant The State of Tennessee offers a grant to businesses to encourage the installation of clean energy technologies, including solar power arrays. The grant covers 40% of the installation cost, with a maximum award of $75,000. NOTE: The State is currently not accepting applications for this grant; check back for information when the grant’s application process re-opens. Small Business Energy Loan Program Tennessee also offers low interest loans up to $300,000 to qualified small businesses seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their business. To learn more about this incentive and its qualifications, CLICK HERE. Federal Government Solar Tax Credits The Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “Bail Out” bill) offer residential customers and business owners tax credits for taking measures to make homes and businesses more energy efficient. Homeowners or businesses that install solar energy systems before December 31, 2008 will receive tax credits for 30% (up to $2,000) of the cost of the system. After December 31, 2008, the $2,000 cap on tax credits for solar electric is lifted, and those who install solar electric systems will receive tax credits for the full 30% of the cost. The $2,000 limit will still be in place for solar hot water systems. Additional details can be found on the following websites: Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) Energy Star Ready to Go Solar? For more information about solar power in homes, click HERE to visit a DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy resources website. If you’ve decided to install a solar power array of your own or want to find out if solar is right for you, check out these local and regional companies: Sustainable Future Knoxville, TN 865-684-4426 www.sustainablefuture.biz Green Earth Services Knoxville, TN Contact Ed Zubko 865-769-7337 ezubko@aol.com Lightwave Solar Electric Cane Ridge, TN Contact Steve Johnson 615-941-4SUN Steve.Johnson@LightwaveSolarElectric.com www.lightwavesolarelectric.com *NABCEP certified Big Frog Mountain Chattanooga, TN www.bigfrogmountain.com * NABCEP certified (*Companies that are “NABCEP” certified have received installation certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners - www.nabcep.org) Other Solar Resources Green Village Green: a locally owned “green” directory US Green Building Council: offers directory of all its members Tennessee State Law Tennessee State Law (Tenn. Code § 66-9-2) states that easements may be created to ensure access to direct sunlight; if you put up a solar array, this law can protect against new construction or plantings that would reduce your generation potential. For the State of Tennessee’s Building Energy Code, Click HERE. Local Solar Power Displays Look for these solar power systems in and around Knoxville: Mellow Mushroom 5.1 kW system 2109 Cumberland Ave. Installed by LightWave Solar Electric Steve Johnson 615-294-9630 Ijams Nature Center 15 kW system 2915 Island Home Ave. Horse barn of Preston Smith 5.8 kW system Installed by Green Earth Services Read the KnoxNews.com article about the system UT Renewable Energy Exhibit 500 W

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