Grants fuel solar energy projects in Tennessee

Grants fuel solar energy projects in Tennessee NASHVILLE - Dozens of farms and small companies in Tennessee have received Agriculture Department grants to develop solar power systems that can contribute to local energy grids. 5 million in grants and loans to Tennessee farms, ranches and rural small companies in the past three years. The farm has 120 rooftop solar panels, and the Weesners might add more. The couple used three government grants that paid for about 60 percent of their $161,000 installation. Without government funding, few small renewable-energy projects would be affordable, Mike Weesner said. The Tennessean reports that 69 of Tennessee's 98 grants and loans have gone to solar projects. Mike and Sharon Weesner received a grant for $19,073 for the solar panels installed on the roof of their horse barn at their 180-acre Hardscuffle Farm, near the border between Hickman and Williamson counties. "It's always fun to open that and discover (they) owe me money," Mike Weesner said of his monthly electric bill. Workers at the farm are also digging wells for geothermal heating for the Weesners' home, with high-efficiency LED lighting and insulation on the inside. The couple is applying to get more money to add panels to another barn, with help from the local USDA office. Recipients include a custom saddler in Lebanon, a native species nursery in Fairview and a recreational team-building center in Kingston Springs. USDA officials who toured the farm call it an exemplary rural project. They also have received $7,000 from the local power firm for contributing energy into the area's power grid. "The new economy is built to last because it's fueled by homegrown, alternative energy sources," said USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode. Grants fuel solar energy projects in Tennessee Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 03/04/2012