Photo of the Month: August 2013 

LightWave recently completed installation of a 62.4 kW solar photovoltaic system at the Fort Campbell Sustainment Brigade Complex Administration Facility in Kentucky. 

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Solar Demand in Tennessee Exceeds TVA Cap in Less than One Day

Three members of TenneSEIA, the state business association representing the solar industry, exceeded TVA's addition of 2.5 megawatts of solar energy into the Green Power Providers program by 20 percent on Aug. 1 - representing only three of the estimated 64 solar installers in the state and demonstrating that TVA's solar programs restrict the investment of private capital and do not meet market demand. TVA opened and closed its solar program Aug. 1, after TenneSEIA requested in May the utility reopen the program this year.

TenneSEIA is urging TVA's Board of Directors to increase the amount of solar energy TVA makes available to the market prior to the board voting on the 2014 budget at its Aug. 22 meeting in Knoxville.

"TVA's current program for solar energy development leaves the market underserved and as a result, it creates a boom-bust cycle for the industry," said Gil Hough, president of TenneSEIA.  

"There is a proven, market based remedy for the unintended and unnecessary risks to businesses and jobs that TVA's current solar development program provides and TenneSEIA looks forward to exploring those options with TVA management and its board of directors."

TenneSIEA responded to the closure of TVA's solar programs in April 2013 by providing a series of recommendations to TVA. Primarily, TenneSEIA urged the authority to abandon the practice of setting arbitrary calendar year caps on solar installations and adopt a market driven model that decreases incentives based on the total amount of solar installed and incorporates the value of solar energy, which can apply downward pressure to rates, into the budgeting process. Click here to read more. 

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TVA is wreaking havoc with the solar industry in Tennessee by limiting access to the grid. You can help by letting TVA know you support the industry by clicking here. You can contact the TVA ombudsman for external stakeholders, Wilson Taylor, at tvainfo@tva.com or 865-924-1418. It is important we make our voice heard in order to secure the future of solar power in Tennessee. 

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Amicus was founded in the fall of 2011 when a small group of friendly solar installation companies decided it was time to form a special organization where independent businesses could support each other by sharing best practices and pooling their buying power. Amicus is a purchasing cooperative that is jointly owned and democratically managed by member companies. There are currently 22 members, with 33 office locations in 20 states, and the co-op continues to grow. Visit www.amicussolar.com to learn more.

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TenneSEIA Presents at Intersolar North America 

Last month LightWave participated on two panels at Intersolar North America in San Francisco. Intersolar North America is the most attended industry exhibition and conference in North America for solar professionals and features the latest in new technologies.

Lightwave presented on two panels: "Accelerating PV Market Development," and "Empowering America - Market & Policy Updates on a Cross-State Level." LightWave saw many friends from Tennessee as well as manufacturers from around the world we only see once or twice a year. By attending these type of events, we are able to stay current with market developments and bring our customers tried and trusted technology.

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LightWave Featured in SEI Newsletter   

LightWave was recently featured in Solar Energy International's (SEI) Late Summer/Fall 2013 Newsletter. SEI is a leading solar training and education organization. Steve Johnson, the President and Founder of LightWave, is an SEI alumni from 1999. The newsletter featured his story as an alumni highlight, which you can read below:

My first interaction with SEI was when I attended the week long PV Design class at Guemes Island, Washington in 1999. Y2K was right around the corner, a boom year for solar, and I had an off grid stint for a while. LightWave Solar became a business in 2006. We operated out of our tractor shed at home until my wife kicked us out when she got blocked in the driveway by a delivery truck one day. The next year, in 2007, I received my NABCEP certification.

 

LightWave Solar now employs 40 people with offices in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee. All told, we have installed over 350 systems, totaling 7 megawatts of capacity. LightWave is grateful for SEI's contribution to the solar community, and we continue to have employees receive training through SEI.

 

- Steve Johnson