Solar sells: East Tennessee makes way for rising industry
Wednesday September 30, 2009
Wampler Sausage will soon begin installation of a 22.75 kilowatt photovoltaic system to generate solar power...
Wampler Sausage will soon begin installation of a 22.75 kilowatt photovoltaic system to generate solar power with the help of grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state of Tennessee, plus federal tax incentives.
The Lenoir City meat packaging plant is one of a growing number of local companies investing in solar. Some of them, including Wampler, will be showcased in one of two solar events taking place this week, demonstrating the growth of the technology in East Tennessee.
On Thursday the USDA will hold an event at Wampler Sausage highlighting investments the agency has made in clean-energy projects. Wampler is getting $46,875 from USDA in addition to a $75,000 grant from the state and a $56,250 federal grant, essentially a prepaid tax credit on the system.
Two major solar manufacturers have announced they will build large production plants in Tennessee, federal stimulus money has encouraged development of solar technologies, TVA has expanded incentives for solar production, and federal and state grants have sweetened the pot for solar customers.
The growing interest among customers has naturally attracted a growing number of businesses to service them.
Erin Burns, sustainability coordinator for the city of Knoxville, said the Solar City program also has helped provide the region with a central, credible source of information for a relatively unknown product.
But, for companies, the market also has helped in that regard. It's becoming important to be green, even in the sausage business, Wampler said.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
