TVA Green Power Providers Now Open + EV News + Preferred Partners

Photo of the Month: January 2013

This photo shows one of the 50 kilo-watt systems LightWave Solar installed at Nacarato Volvo Trucks in LaVergne. Nacarato's two systems are among 15 systems we commissioned in December, nearly 300 kW installed!

TVA Green Power Providers Now Open

On January 1, 2013, TVA opened the Green Power Providers (GPP) program, and they are currently approving applications. Under GPP, TVA will buy solar PV generation at 9 cents/kilowatt-hour plus the current rate (about 10 cents/kWh). This totals about 19 cents per kWh - nearly double the retail rate!

However, TVA has implemented a program capacity limit of 7.5 megawatts (MW) for 2013. Once TVA receives applications for 7.5MW, the program is expected to close for the rest of the year. The 2.5MW capacity for the end of 2012 was reached in just 5 weeks!

If you or anyone you know is interested in installing solar, now is the time to get your TVA application submitted. To get started, contact LightWave Solar. We will provide a free solar consultation to help you decide if solar is right for you. Then, we will prepare the GPP application, send it to the local utility and TVA, and help secure your approval. Get started today!

LightWave Solar Made Solar Power World Magazine's Top 100 Contractors List

Solar Power World magazine included LightWave Solar in their Solar Power World Top 100 Solar Contractors list, published in their December issue.

"It's a tribute to hard work and dedication to the solar industry that LightWave Solar has made this list. Solar Power World is honored and humbled by their service and thrilled to honor them in this way," said Frank Andorka of Solar Power World.

LightWave Solar is ranked No. 72 and is the only Tennessee company listed in the same category of residential and commercial solar design and installation. We are honored to be a part of this elite list! Click here to view the complete list, and click here to check out the list insights.

New Preferred Partners Program

LightWave Solar is leveraging relationships with like-minded companies to help foster a more energy-conscious community. Our preferred partners currently include Precision Air, E3 Innovate and Wilmot Inc. We highly recommend these companies for your energy efficiency and sustainability needs.

Precision Air is a full service heating, cooling and indoor air quality provider with over 18 years of geothermal experience. A special discount is available to LightWave Solar customers: $250 off the cost of installing a new heating and cooling system. Visit Precision Air at precisionairtn.com.

E3 Innovate is an integrated home performance company founded in 2008. E3 Innovate works with homeowners, architects, builders and developers to create healthier, more comfortable, more energy efficient, and more sustainable residences. A special discount is available to LightWave Solar customers: $150 off the cost of a home performance consultation. Visit E3 Innovate at e3innovate.com.

Wilmot Inc. offers consulting services for LEED and green building, education and training, green business strategy, and waste prevention and recycling. Since 1994 their consulting services have allowed companies in the public and private sectors to realize significant increases in profitability and productivity through the implementation of environmentally responsible business practices. You can learn more by visiting wilmotinc.com.

Stay tuned for more partners and discount offers listed on our website on our Preferred Partners page.

Message to EV Drivers, Nissan Leaf Owners and Nissan Employees

LightWave Solar's two new Blink electric vehicle charging stations are now operating at the main office in Antioch, located off I-24 at exit 62. We encourage EV drivers to plug into our chargers and stop in for a bathroom or coffee break. The first 10 drivers to visit us for a charge will receive a free LightWave t-shirt or hat!

Speaking of EVs, Nissan Leaf owners and Nissan employees are eligible for a special solar rebate through SunPower, the manufacturer of the highest-efficiency solar panels. SunPower offers Nissan Leaf customers a post installation rebate of $0.30 per watt up to $1,500 on a purchase of SunPower system. SunPower offers Nissan Employees a post installation rebate of $.40 per watt up to $2,000 on a SunPower system purchase.

LightWave Solar is the only Premier SunPower dealer in Tennessee. If you own a Leaf or work for Nissan, contact us for a free solar consultation, and receive the post installation rebate if you decide to install a SunPower system.

SEIA Solar Research Releases Q3 2012 Facts

FIGURE: QUARTERLY U.S. PV INSTALLATIONS BY MARKET SEGMENT, 2010-Q3 2012
Solar Research 2012 Q3

Q3 2012 KEY FINDINGS:

PV installations totaled 684 MW in Q3 2012, up 44% over Q3 2011
The residential market grew 12% over Q2 2012 and had its largest quarter in history
The non-residential market grew 24% over Q2 2012, thanks primarily to growth in California and Massachusetts
There is now a total of 5.9 GW of PV operating in the U.S. from over 271,000 installations
Record installations are expected for Q4, leading to 70% annual installation growth in 2012 on 3.2 GW installed
Click here to learn more.