Solar Spotlight: MNPD HQ and Family Safety Center
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This month LightWave Solar will turn on the largest rooftop solar system in Nashville! We installed 302 kilowatts (kW) at the new Metro Nashville Police Department Headquarters and Family Safety Center located at 600 Murfreesboro Road.
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Opening in early 2019, the 133,000 square foot building will house the administrative functions of the Metro Nashville Police Department as well as the Family Safety Center which will provide critical resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The Family Safety Center will be the largest of its kind in the entire United States, putting many agencies and departments under one roof to make coordination more efficient and less of a hassle for victims.
The building meets criteria for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification, a Metro requirement for all new and renovated Metro Nashville buildings over 5,000 square feet. Features of MNPD Headquarters and Family Safety Center include a strong building envelope, appropriate building orientation and energy efficient windows, all to reduce heating and cooling loads. The building will utilize natural light from east and west facing windows, and designers selected low-emitting materials to reduce chemical use and maintain healthy indoor air quality. The landscaping will be low impact, drought resistant and provide rain water management, beauty, and shade.
“One of our design priorities is to reduce the heating and cooling costs while keeping the building very comfortable,” explains Mike Leonard, Managing Principal for greenSTUDIO at Hastings Architecture Associates. “Then, we can maximize the savings of the on-site renewable energy generation,” Leonard says.
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The 864 solar panels will generate approximately 392,000 kilowatt-hours annually, saving Metro about $23,500 per year at current electric rates. The project is Metro Nashville Department of General Services' 9th building to incorporate solar, and it doubles the department’s existing solar portfolio which includes solar panels across seven Metro fire stations and the Howard Office Building. The new Sheriff's Office Downtown Complex will have a solar system as well and will be installed in 2019.
“For every new building that General Services constructs, we include solar as part of the initial design,” says Laurel Creech, Assistant Director for Sustainability at Metro’s Department of General Services. “Solar is the most resilient way for us to generate our own power on-site, and it is a healthier way to produce energy for our city,” she says.
The MNPD HQ and Family Safety Center will include electric vehicle (EV) charging stations which will power all-electric Nissan LEAFs for the employee car share program as well as provide visitors and staff a free place to charge their EVs.
“We are moving towards net zero buildings,” says Leonard. “I encourage other architects to take a close look at energy efficiency and solar energy, run the calculations and discuss the benefits with their clients,” he says.
For over a decade, Leonard and his clients have utilized LightWave Solar as a resource for solar design, benefits analyses and installation.
“Chris Koczaja and JP Plumlee have been extremely helpful, and I have worked with Steve Johnson since LightWave started,” Leonard says. “I couldn’t be more proud to have such a great local resource for solar,” he adds.
LightWave Solar has built over 50 solar projects for municipalities and government agencies across the Southeast, most recently 140kW for Hickman County, Tennessee; 729kW for Arkansas State University at Newport; and a 2MW Community Solar project for Nashville Electric Service.
“We are grateful to have LightWave Solar in our community,” Creech says.
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Solar Tours & Workshops in TN & MS
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Every October homeowners and businesses partner with the American Solar Energy Society to host solar tours and show the public how solar is benefiting their homes, businesses and communities.
Meet LightWave Solar customers at solar tours and workshops in the cities listed below!
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Click on the links above to RSVP. Free entry & open to the public!
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Apply now for your USDA solar grant!
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We can help you apply for a solar grant through USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)! The application deadline is October 31, and the grant covers 25% of commercial solar project costs up to $20,000.
If you own a business in a rural area, or if you operate a farm in any area, you are most likely eligible to apply for the USDA solar grant!
LightWave Solar handles the application paperwork for you, and our applications have a 98% approval record! Our latest award winner is Interstate Packing in White Bluff, TN. Parker Farms, pictured above, received a REAP grant in 2014. We've helped over 80 business owners get solar grants.
Reply to this email if you are interested in applying for the grant!
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Attend Tennessee Valley Solar Conference on Nov 7
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Would you like to see more solar energy projects in Tennessee? Want to learn more about the barriers and opportunities for Tennessee's solar industry?
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Hosted by the Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA), the Tennessee Valley Solar Conference aims to bring together people who are interested in growing solar business opportunities in the Tennessee Valley. Whether you are an individual ratepayer, a business leader, a municipality, or a Local Power Company, we invite you to attend!
Attendees will discuss market trends and policies that impact the solar industry, including TVA policy and technical advancements in the Tennessee Valley region.
Tennessee Valley Solar Conference
November 7, 2018 9am-9pm
Embassy Suites
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
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Where we've been installing...
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50kW at Barnhart Crane & Rigging Co. in Memphis, TN
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10kW for Residence in Decherd, TN
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Tesla EV Charger for solar-powered home in Franklin, TN
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783 solar installations and counting...
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