July 2011 “Nissan Installs New Solar Charging Stations for Electric Cars”

Solar 101 Workshop
July 19, 12pm-1pm
Adventure Science Center
Jack Wood Hall
800 Fort Negley Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37203
See article below for details

2011 Tennessee Valley Solar Solutions Conference
August 9-10
Opryland Convention Center
Presented by TVA and Tennessee Solar Institute
Conference registration is free, but space is limited. For more info or to register, visit tnsolarsolutions.org.

Sustainable Living Guild’s Solar Energy & Energy Conservation Workshop

August 19-20
For more info click here

Nissan’s admin building located in Smyrna, Tennessee, now has a solar charging canopy that consists of 78 made-in-Tennessee Sharp solar panels. This is one of three solar projects currently underway for Nissan that highlights the reality of green job creation in Tennessee.

In 2010 Nissan introduced the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle, the LEAF. Fortunately for Tennessee, its U.S. manufacturing will begin in Smyrna next year.

The 100% electric LEAF can be powered by sunlight with no pollution or greenhouse gas emissions, so adding solar to Nissan’s electric charging stations was a logical next step.

“LightWave Solar is proud to be a part of Nissan’s green initiatives and is excited that Nissan chose LightWave Solar as their local PV installer,” says LightWave Solar President Steve Johnson.

The installation of a second solar charging canopy, which will be installed at Nissan’s North American Headquarters in Franklin, is set to begin in mid-July. This is the biggest of all three projects, consisting of 150 Sharp solar panels. In September LightWave Solar will begin installation on a third solar charging canopy at Nissan’s battery plant facility in Smyrna.

Nissan LEAF manufacturing and the growth of Tennessee’s solar industry are certainly bright spots in our local economy. In 2011, according to a recent MTSU study, the number of direct green construction jobs generated by six specific investments, including Nissan Leaf and Storage Battery Manufacturing, was 5,674. In addition, 1,767 indirect green jobs were created, along with another 1,928 induced jobs. This translated into a total economic impact of more than 9,300 jobs across Tennessee. Click here for more info on this green jobs report.

LightWave Solar, whose number of employees has doubled every year since 2006, just picked up their own LEAF this week, see above photo. It will be powered by the solar PV system atop the LightWave Solar office. 

Congratulations to the Arts Center of Cannon County, winner of the 2011 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Energy Leadership. The Arts Center, a rural arts organization located in underserved Woodbury, Tennessee, added a solar photovoltaic (PV) system to their facility last December. The 29.4 kilowatt solar system, consisting of 120 solar panels, will produce 35,500 kWh of clean electricity annually and generate about $7,500 per year through TVA’s Generation Partners program.

Moreover, the system serves an educational purpose that helps raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energy. Arts Center visitors can watch a time lapse video of the installation, view up-to-date production data, and participate in programs covering renewable power, energy conservation and traditional fossil fuel consumption. In addition, 13,000 people drive by every day and can see the solar panels at work!

The project was possible through a third-party investor, Good Earth Energy, who applied for and received a Tennessee Solar Institute (TSI) installation grant that helped offset the cost. Good Earth Energy owns the system but will donate it to the Arts Center after 15 years. Bruce Clark, owner of Good Earth Energy, pursued the project as a form of protest against mountaintop removal coal mining. He believed an investment in solar at a public location would best demonstrate the possibility and availability of renewable energy.

“Solar is the cleanest way to produce power and it creates jobs,” says Clark.

LightWave Solar assisted with the TSI grant process and designed and installed the system. Job creation indeed! LightWave Solar is very proud to be a part of this community-focused project.

Light Wave Solar is hosting a Solar 101 Workshop on Tuesday, July 19 from Noon until 1pm at the Adventure Science Center.

We will cover the basics of solar photovoltaics (solar PV) – how it works, equipment, roof and shade requirements, cost and incentives, and the reasons why Nashvillians are installing solar on their homes and businesses.

Adventure Science Center
Jack Wood Hall
800 Fort Negley Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37203

Workshop is free and open to the public. Bring a brown bag lunch!

Contact us for more info and to RSVP:
615-641-4050 or [email protected]