Photo of the Month: March 2013
LightWave Solar is nearing completion of the 211 kilo-watt solar PV system on top of the brand new Music City Center. System includes 845 solar panels, pictured above. Click here to view a live webcam of the rooftop (zoom in for a better view).
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World's Solar PV Capacity Passes 100-Gigawatt Landmark
 The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) announced that the world's cumulative solar PV electricity capacity surpassed 100 gigawatts in 2012, achieving just over 101 GW, according to new market figures.
This global capacity to harness the power of the sun produces as much electricity in a year as 16 coal power plants or nuclear reactors of 1 GW each. Each year, the world's PV installations reduce CO2 emissions by 53 million tons.
"No one would have predicted even 10 years ago that we would see more than 100 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity in the world by 2012," said EPIA President Winfried Hoffmann. "The photovoltaic industry clearly faces challenges but the results of 2012 show there is a strong global market for our technology. Even in tough economic times and despite growing regulatory uncertainty, we have nearly managed to repeat the record year of 2011." Click here to read more.
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Bid on Solar System at Green Tie Affair
At Tennessee Environmental Council's Green Tie Affair, bidders will have the chance to buy a completely installed 3.12 kW solar PV system at a discounted price and support a worthy cause. The system will be part of the live auction at the annual Green Tie Affair on Fri, March 22 from 7-11pm at University Club of Nashville.
The installed 3.12 kW solar PV system is valued at $17,000. Bidding starts at $12,500. What's included:
- 12 260w Suniva solar panels - Made in Georgia, USA!
- One Power-One Aurora inverter
- Uni-Rac Solar Mount racking system
- All other required equipment, supplies, labor and coordination with utility to ensure fully functional, professionally installed solar PV system.
System will generate about 4,000 kWh per year which amounts to about $800 per year at current electric rates through TVA Green Power Providers program. The 30% Federal Tax Credit will further reduce the cost, and TVA will pay $1,000 after system completion.
If you are interested in attending Green Tie Affair and bidding on this system, please contact us so we can determine the suitability of your site. Free site consultation is included. In addition, LightWave Solar will be available at Green Tie Affair to provide site consultations via satellite. Site issues to consider:
- A south facing roof will get optimum kWh production. East and west facing roofs work well too if the pitch of the roof is not too steep and shading is minimal. A site visit will allow for accurate production estimates.
- Allow 300 square feet of unobstructed roof space for the solar panels.
- Chimneys and dormers can create shading, so panels need to be situated away from those.
- Tree shading needs to be minimal. Our site visit calculations will pin point exactly how much shading will occur.
Click here to visit Tennessee Environmental Council's Green Tie event page.
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Update: TVA Green Power Providers at 50% Capacity
 On January 1, TVA opened the Green Power Providers (GPP) program for 2013, and they are currently approving applications. Under GPP, TVA will buy solar PV generation at 9 cents/kilowatt-hour above the current rate (about 10 cents/kWh). This totals about 19 cents per kWh - nearly double the retail rate!
TVA has implemented a program capacity limit of 7.5 megawatts (MW) for 2013. Currently, TVA has received applications for over 3.5 MW, about 50% of total capacity.
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 help coordinate the GPP application, and help secure your approval.
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First Annual Alternative Fueled Vehicle Showcase & Educational Tour
 The Tennessee Alternative Fueled Vehicle Roadshow (AFVR) Tour opens March 12. With a series of educational events, the Roadshow aims to spread the message that electric vehicles (EVs) and other alternatively fueled vehicles can have an immediate savings impact on municipal and commercial bottom lines.
Vehicles ranging from the smallest EV to the largest trucks, and powered by various alternative fuels will be on display together, combined with a 2-hour seminar featuring about 10 speakers. A panel of experts will speak about the economic viability, safety and infrastructure behind each fuel type, to demonstrate how businesses and governments can transition to a more price-stable, lower maintenance, fleet-fuel mix.
LightWave Solar will be participating and speaking on how electric vehicles pair nicely with solar energy and covered parking. We will be at these Roadshow pit stops:
Kingsport, TN - Tuesday, March 12 1-4 pm
AFVR Show -Tennessee Environmental Conference
Meadowview Conference Center
Nashville, TN - Monday, March 25 9am-12pm
AFVR Show
Ed Jones Auditorium at Ellington Agricultural Center
The tour is being presented with Clean Cities Coalitions in the southeast and is free to attend, but registration is necessary. Click here for more information.
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LightWave Insider is a monthly online newsletter from LightWave Solar bringing you news and information about the solar industry.
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Where We'll Be...
On-Farm Solar Lunch & Learns in Kentucky
March 6 & 15
Hopkinsville & Bowling Green, KY
More info here TN Environmental Conference & EV Roadshow
Tues-Wed March 12-13
Kingsport, TN
More info here HBAGK Home Show
Fri-Sun March 15-17
Knoxville, TN
More info here CSI Solar Presentation
Tues March 19 10am Agricenter International
Memphis, TN
More info here TN Environmental Council's Green Tie Affair
Friday, March 22 7pm
University Club of Nashville
More info here Alt. Fueled Vehicle Roadshow Mon, March 25 9am-12pm Ellington Ag Center
Nashville, TN More info here |
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