LightWave Solar and MTEMC flip the switch with system owners Barry Royal and Bob Spivey (center) at BGS America Storage in Smyrna, TN.

BgS America Storage recently invested in three solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for the company's three facilities located in Rutherford County.    

"Solar was a financial no-brainer for our company, and we wanted to make a positive impact on our environment," said Bob Spivey, co- owner of BgS and the former Mayor of Smyrna.

LightWave Solar just completed the installation and commissioning

of all three projects, two in Smyrna and one in Murfreesboro. Each system is 50 kilo-watts, which is 208 solar panels. This is the largest system size allowed under Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) new solar incentive program, Green Power Providers.  

One system is on BgS's newest facility on Front Street in downtown Smyrna. The 25,000-square-foot building was completed last March and built efficiently with geothermal heating and cooling, ample insulation, E-rated windows, LED exterior lighting and interior motion sensor and timed lighting. The company also owns an all-electric Nissan Leaf vehicle.  The 50 kilowatt solar system will cover nearly 100 percent of their annual electric costs.

"The solar systems fit right in line with our goals to be as energy efficient and cost effective as possible," says Barry Royal, co-owner of BgS and Spivey's stepson. "After 5.5 years, the solar will recoup the cost of the initial investment, and we will still have over 25 years of solar electric generation."

Owners Spivey and Royal began thinking about adding solar to their facilities after seeing Nissan's solar-assisted charging station across the street from BgS Storage in Smyrna on Nissan Drive.

"We asked Nissan who installed their solar array and began working with LightWave Solar immediately. We decided to install because it's a great investment," said Royal.