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| News and Events: Technical Assistance, Incentives, and Funding Opportunities: Upcoming Events and Activities: Resources and Guides:
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| OEP Conducts K-12 Energy Education Camps and Workshop Across TN Elementary School in McNairy County. These workshops reached 22 third through sixth grade students enrolled in an after-school energy education program. As part of the workshop, OEP provided lessons and materials on hydropower electric generation, including information on kinetic energy and the force of gravity. OEP also hosted the 2018 Energy Education Camp for K-12 Educators at Paris Landing State Park earlier this summer. The three-day camp provided educators with information and resources needed to teach on topics related to energy and energy conservation in the classroom and showed them how to involve students in service learning projects that promote environmental stewardship. Participating educators were provided with energy-related classroom materials valued at $200, as well as complementary lodging and meals. Watch the video below for more information on the camp. OEP’s K-12 energy education program links the broad topic of energy to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and provides educators with the knowledge and resources necessary to teach energy concepts. For more information regarding this program, please contact Angela McGee at Angela.McGee@tn.gov or 615-532-7816.
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| October 5 is Energy Efficiency Day During last year’s Energy Efficiency Day (EE Day), more than 200 entities endorsed energy efficiency’s benefits, and thousands of people participated in online energy efficiency challenges and promotions. Cities, counties, and states issued official proclamations to recognize EE Day, as did the U.S. Senate. The 2018 EE Day (#EEDay2018) will fall on October 5, and event organizers have already updated the EE Day website with new energy efficiency campaigns and materials. As October approaches, EE Day organizers ask that interested parties sign up as 2018 supporters. These supporters will receive both updates from EE Day organizers as well as energy efficiency facts and materials to share on social media.
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| BrightRidge Offers Access to its Solar Community
BrightRidge, a local power company in Northeast Tennessee, is offering its electric customers a chance to join the utility's solar community. The BrightRidge board voted last month to develop a program that reserves 500 kilowatts (kW) of energy produced by a new 40-acre solar farm being developed near Telford for purchase by residential and business customers. Nashville-based Silicon Ranch is building and will operate the solar farm, with the agreement that TVA and BrightRidge will buy the power it produces. The solar farm, which is the first of its kind to be built in Northeast Tennessee, is expected to produce enough energy to power more than 500 homes annually. To learn more, click here.
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| Solar Alliance Completes 22.6 kW Solar Installation in Lebanon
Solar Alliance Energy Inc. has completed the installation of a 22.6 kW solar system at the independently owned AAMCO automotive service center in Lebanon, Tennessee. The project was partially funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant and is part of Solar Alliance's new Commercial Channel Partner Program, which increases Solar Alliance's reach through a network of partners that utilize the company's design, permitting and installation expertise. To learn more, click here.
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| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INCENTIVES, AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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| Innovation Crossroads Opens Cohort 3 Applications
Innovation Crossroads, an Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) program that matches aspiring energy entrepreneurs with experts and mentors in technology-related fields, will soon open applications for its third cohort (Cohort 3). Up to five entrepreneurs will be selected in Cohort 3 to transform their ideas into energy and advanced manufacturing companies with financial support from U.S. DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office and TVA. Innovators will receive a fellowship that covers living costs, benefits and a travel stipend for up to two years, and substantial funding to use on collaborative research and development at ORNL. Cohort 3 applications are open now and must be submitted by October 29. Click here to register for an informational webinar at 2:30 PM EDT on October 4. Sign up to receive announcements on the program by clicking here.
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| American-Made Solar Prize Program
The American-Made Challenge program is designed to reenergize innovation in U.S. manufacturing and incentivize the nation’s entrepreneurs to reassert American leadership in the energy marketplace. U.S. DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have officially launched the program’s first challenge, a $3 million competition called the American-Made Solar Prize. The program is organized through three progressive prize competitions, Ready! Set! and Go! Competitors must: - Identify an important solar design problem you want to solve
- Submit a 90-second video describing your challenge and proposed solution, team, and plan
- Answer a short, four-question narrative and make a slide about this problem or challenge
- Submit a two-page technical assistance request
- Update your videos and statements as you advance through the contests.
Competitors must submit their initial ideas here by October 2, 2018 to be officially entered in the contest process. Sign up for updates on the prize competitions at https://www.herox.com/SolarPrize.
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| Funding Opportunities and Free Renewable Energy Assessments Available for TN Farms and Rural Businesses
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements throughout the year. This program helps increase American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers. Funding for Fiscal Year 2018 is available in a variety of forms, each under its own application process and timeline: - Grants and/or Loans of $20,000 or less
- Applications are due October 31, 2018 OR April 1, 2019 (depending on funding cycle).
- Unrestricted Grants and/or Loans
- Applications are due April 1, 2019.
- Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants
- Applications are due January 31, 2019.
- Guaranteed Loans
- Applications are accepted on a continuous cycle.
Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels); geothermal for electric generation or direct use; hydropower below 30 MW; hydrogen; small and large wind generation; small and large solar generation; and ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation. Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation, and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC); insulation; lighting; cooling or refrigeration units; doors and windows; electric, solar, or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots; switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor; and replacement of energy-inefficient equipment. Click here to learn more and to apply for REAP financial assistance.
Additionally, the new Tennessee Renewable Energy Assessment Program is offering free renewable energy assessments of farms and rural businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. Funded through USDA’s Rural Development Office, the program is operated by the Southeast Tennessee RC&D Council, EnSave, Inc., and the Tennessee Poultry Association. The assessments provide third-party evaluations that determine a proper size for a project (such as solar or wind) based on the amount of energy that a farm wants to offset. They also provide unbiased information on return-on-investment and lifetime financial projections to aid in business decision-making. Most importantly, the assessments can be used to apply for REAP, which offers grants up to 25% of project cost and loan guarantees up to 75% of project cost. Interested entities should call EnSave directly at (800) 732-1399 to sign up for an assessment.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| TenneSEIA Now Accepting Nominations for Solar Champion and Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA) is now accepting nominations for two awards, the 2018 Solar Champion Award and the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. The Solar Champion nomination requires 1) the name and location of nominee, 2) nominee contact information, and 3) at minimum, a 300-word narrative about the nominee’s leadership role in supporting solar development in Tennessee (please note that the Solar Champion Award cannot be given to solar companies). The Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor a person with acknowledged leadership in the solar industry, a long-term commitment to solar success, and a background in promoting cooperation in Tennessee toward solar adoption. The Lifetime Achievement nomination requires 1) the name and location of the nominee, 2) nominee contact information, and 3) at minimum, a 300-word narrative about why the nominee would be an effective leader for TenneSEIA. Nominations for both awards must be submitted to info@tenneseiasolar.com by October 15, 2018. Contact Luke or Gil with any questions about the awards or nomination processes.
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| ACEEE Rural Energy Conference
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) will host its first-ever Rural Energy Conference on October 22, 2018 in Atlanta, GA. The event will explore energy efficiency in rural and small-town America through three presentation tracks. An economic development track will look at beneficial electrification, broadband, distributed energy resources, manufacturing, and workforce development. An equity track will discuss energy burden mapping, inclusive financing, manufactured housing, and public health. A third track will explore efficiency programs for homes, communities, agriculture, and businesses. Visit the 2018 Rural Energy Conference page for more information and contact ACEEE with any questions or to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
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| 2018 Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Conference
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) will hold its 2018 Conference in Atlanta, GA from October 22-24. The 2018 SEEA Conference will convene senior decision makers, policy makers, utility representatives, vendors, and researchers from across the Southeast to create robust discussions and valuable connections within the energy industry. The Conference will explore the many facets of energy efficiency in the Southeast, including storm resilience, health, alternative transportation, distributed energy resources, technology, and the built environment. Click here to learn more and register.
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| U.S. Solar Decathlon Competition Guide and Application
U.S. DOE recently released a 2019-2020 Competition Guide to provide information on its upcoming solar design challenge, the Solar Decathlon. The purpose of this collegiate competition is to take buildings in the United States to the next level through a variety of advancements, including making them more affordable for American families; incorporating grid-interactive technologies; improving construction productivity; providing greater comfort and healthier indoor environments; and optimizing operational efficiency with resilient solutions that will stand the test of time. Participating students get hands-on experience and unique training that prepares them to enter the clean energy workforce. The winners of the Solar Decathlon competition are selected from the teams that best blend technology, market potential, and design excellence with smart energy efficiency and production.
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| Southeast Renewable Energy Summit
At the Southeast Renewable Energy Summit, attendees will learn about the key trends impacting renewable project development, finance, and investment in the regional market and will have a chance to meet utility procurement managers. The Summit will be held November 7-9 in Atlanta, GA. Click here to register for the event.
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| Save the Date: TAEBC's Opportunities in Energy Meeting
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) is a champion of Tennessee’s advanced energy economy. TAEBC recently sent out a Save the Date for its upcoming Opportunities in Energy annual meeting, to take place in The Square Room, Knoxville, on November 29, 2018. More information on the event will follow. Click here to learn more.
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| 2018 ACEEE State Scorecard
On October 4, ACEEE will publish its 2018 State Scorecard, an annual report ranking all 50 US states and the District of Columbia for their work on energy efficiency and highlighting the best practices of top-achieving states, as well as those showing marked improvement. ACEEE will also host a webinar on the day of the report’s release, explaining the findings of the report and the changes in state rankings between 2017 and 2018. Register to attend the webinar here. Find more information on the State Scorecard reports at http://aceee.org/state-policy/scorecard.
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