Photo of the Month: May 2013
LightWave Solar recently completed this 211 kilo-watt (kW) solar system on the new Music City Center. See details below.
|
|
LightWave Completes Music City Center Solar Project
LightWave Solar recently completed the installation of a 211 kilo-watt (kW) solar system for the Music City Center, and it is the largest solar installation in Nashville.
Installed within the guitar shaped structure on the roof, the system consists of 845 solar panels and four inverters weighing 1,800 pounds each. The system will generate approx. 271,000 kilowatt-hours per year, enough electricity to power the electric vehicle charging stations and lighting for the building. Over 25 years, the clean electricity will offset nearly 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of taking 920 cars off the road.
"This project shows great leadership on behalf of the city," said Steve Johnson, President of LightWave Solar. "We applaud the mayor's vision in making Nashville a more sustainable city with a bright future."
The solar panels are accompanied by a 175,000 square-foot green roof designed to mimic the rolling hills of Tennessee. Local sustainability consulting firm, Wilmot, Inc., recommended the green roof for storm water management, insulation and habitat restoration.
Throughout the 3-year project, Wilmot has helped Music City Center's contractor and owner through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) coordination, and the building is on track to receive LEED Silver certification. Wilmot continues to identify green building opportunities for the project, including the use of recycled content construction materials to save $2M.
Construction on the $585 million facility began in January 2010 and was completed on April 30, 2013. The Music City Center totals 2.1 million square feet, double the space available in the current convention center. Already more than 100 meetings and 800,000 room nights have been booked.
Project completion will be celebrated on May 19 and 20 at the Music City Center Grand Opening with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. Celebration includes open house tours, free street party and concert featuring Sheryl Crow, The Time Jumpers with Vince Gill, Fisk Jubilee Singers, and more. Major Dean will give his State of Metro address on Monday, May 20 at 10 a.m. Click here for details.  | |
LWS President Steve Johnson and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean ceremoniously acknowledged the start of solar construction earlier this year.
|
|
|
TVA Solar Programs Hit Capacity
 Capacity has been reached in TVA's two solar programs, Green Power Providers (GPP) and Solar Solutions Initiative (SSI). TVA is not approving new applications at this time. However, LightWave Solar will sign contingent contracts and complete utility paperwork to be ready to submit project applications as soon as TVA releases capacity. We are requesting that TVA make the following actions to smooth out the program: - On June 1, 2013, reinstate unused/expired capacity in GPP from the fourth quarter 2012. It is our understanding that approximately 20 percent of the approved capacity from that period was actually built within the 180-day time limit.
- Going forward, release capacity back into the GPP program on a monthly basis following the six month expiration of agreements (i.e., unused capacity from applications approved during January 2013 is released back into the program on August 1, and so forth).
- Take steps to prevent speculative applications from taking up capacity, including a Valley-wide application fee and requiring a copy of the check between the owner or third party and their selected solar contractor. The purpose of this check is to prevent wild swings in the program, burdening local distributors, solar contractors and TVA with applications that do not have contracts.
- Beginning June 1, roll unused capacity forward from the 2012 SSI program into 2013. Since the pilot program was a 2-year 20 MW program, and TVA had less than 2 MW built in the first year, 18 MW should be available in 2013. In addition, only signed contracts should count toward the cap, not simply applications received.
We are not asking TVA to increase their spending on solar electricity; we simply want to see that 100% of allotted capacity is built. On the other hand, TVA's spending on solar electricity is minimal, and we refute TVA's claim that they need to cap solar incentives to protect ratepayers. Private individuals and businesses make the capital investments in solar projects, and TVA should be expected to buy the electricity at a rate that reflects the value of the power that does not pollute, does not create costly disasters and does not require TVA (ratepayers) to pay for new power plants, maintenance, compliance, insurance, etc. In addition, when TVA buys solar electricity, they own all of the environmental attributes, the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), that can be sold on the SREC market. Solar is a win for everyone - TVA, ratepayers, clean air and water and the economy.
We encourage you to contact TVA to voice your opinions. Click here to visit the TVA Board of Directors webpage. |
|
LWS Offers Krinner Ground Screw Solution
LightWave Solar offers Krinner Ground Screw Installation for many applications including ground-mounted solar arrays, timber frame construction, traffic and advertising signage, sheds, carports, docks, fencing and landscaping construction.
The Krinner Ground Screw System is method of modern foundation construction that is efficient, durable and requires no concrete. It saves time and money, goes easy on resources and provides new opportunities for an innovative design. Its success rewards Krinner's courage in challenging what seemed to be an iron law of architecture, i.e., that a foundation has to be made of concrete. The pros at a glance: - Cost and time savings
- No digging, no concreting
- Structurally tested repeatedly, including T�V (Technical Control Board) and BASt (Federal Office for Structural Analysis)
- Proven high pressures, pulling-out force and lateral pressure loads
- Utmost stability and durability
- Instantly loadable, no waiting period
- Sustainable and environmentally friendly
- No soil sealing
- Surroundings not impacted
- Easy deconstruction allows instant relocation
- Click here for more info and contact us! Call 615-641-4050 and ask for Brian Lechliter, or email info@lightwavesolar.com.
|
|
USN Solar Array Featured in SolarPro Mag
LightWave Solar was in the latest issue of SolarPro Magazine, a leading industry publication. The project profile featured the system installed at the University School of Nashville and some of the challenges and unique aspects of the project, including the adjustment of the ground mounted racking system so that it would not be compromised in a flood like the one that hit Nashville in May 2010.
Click here to see the article and photos.
|
|
Cool Map showing Solar Jobs by State
The Solar Foundation created a map showing solar jobs by state. Tennessee ranks 13th in the nation with 2,300 solar jobs! We have almost as many as Florida who has 2,500 solar jobs and ranks 28!
A few fun facts:
- The U.S. solar industry employs more workers than coal mining.
- California has more solar workers than actors.
- More Texans work in solar than in ranching.
Click here to check out the map.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LightWave Insider is a monthly online newsletter from LightWave Solar bringing you news and information about the solar industry.
|
|
Where We'll Be...
Music City Center Grand Opening Party
May 19-20
Music City Center
Downtown Nashville
More info here
Avery County Home & Garden Show
Sat, June 1 9am-4pm
Historic Banner Elk School
Banner Elk, NC
Blue Plum Festival
June 7-9
Downtown Johnson City
Johnson City, TN
More info here
E3 Innovate's Builder Workshop
Fri, June 21 9:30am-2pm
Greater Nashville Association of Realtors
Nashville, TN
More info here
Nashville Dancin'
Most Thursdays June 13-Aug 1 at 5pm
Riverfront Park
Nashville, TN
More info here
|
Preferred Partners  Precision Air is a full service heating, cooling and indoor air quality provider with over 18 years of geothermal experience. LWS customers receive $250 off HVAC systems.  Founded in 2008, E3 Innovate is an integrated home performance company that creates healthier, more comfortable, more energy efficient, and more sustainable homes. LWS customers receive $80 off Home Energy Assessments.  Since 1994, Wilmot Inc. offers consulting services for LEED and green building, education and training, green business strategy, and waste prevention and recycling. LWS customers receive 1% off sustainability services.  greenvillagerecycling.com Green Village Recyling provides single-stream, curbside recycling services for businesses across Middle TN and for residents in the Hendersonville area. GVR offers a 10% discount to all LightWave commercial customers. |
|
