Renewables

Tennessee Million Solar Roofs (MSR) Initiative

The Million Solar Roofs (MSR) Program is an USDOE-sponsored initiative to promote the utilization of solar energy. The initiative focuses on two solar technologies- photovoltaics (solar electric cells) that produce electricity from sunlight and solar thermal panels that produce heat for domestic hot water, space heating or heating swimming pools. The initiative will not pay for the installation of solar energy systems nor will it direct and control the activities at the state and community level. It will work by establishing state and community partnerships that bring together business, government, the energy industry and community organizations to coordinate national and state resources and eliminate barriers to the use of solar energy.

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) is ECD's contractor for the MSR initiative. Activities began in 2003 and SACE has been involved in a variety of activities designed to increase the acceptance and utilization of solar energy. A Statewide Stakeholders Meeting has been held and drew approximately 175 representatives from academia, the solar and utility industries and the general public who are interested in furthering the use of renewable energy technologies.

Wind Prospecting in The Tennessee Valley Region

Wind Prospecting in The Tennessee Valley Region is a 2-year joint Energy Division, Tennessee Valley Authority and Appalachian State University project funded by the US Department of Energy. The purpose of the project is to assess the wind generating potential of various high altitude sites in eastern Tennessee. Several sites have been surveyed and identified as potential generating sites using topographical maps, Truewind mesoscale modeling, and existing wind data. Physical inspections have been conducted at some sites and monitoring towers and equipment have been installed.

The project will directly support the Tennessee Valley Authority's Green Power Switch program which encourages the use of renewable energy technologies by allowing electrical consumers to subscribe to blocks of electricity that was generated by "green" or renewable energy sources.