TENNESSEE VALLEY-Some see solar energy as the future. Others say solar is too expensive and unreliable. Who’s right? To sort facts from myths, we turned to Tammy Bramlett, TVA’s Renewable Energy Solutions Senior Manager. Here’s what she had to say.
What makes solar so popular?
Solar energy – energy from the sun – is the most abundant renewable energy source on Earth. Plus, solar energy is clean, carbon-free energy. That’s why TVA is a strong proponent of solar and why we’re adding it to our diversified generating portfolio. We are on track to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. Our nuclear program is the primary driver, of course. But we are depending on solar, too—along with hydro, wind and energy efficiency initiatives that make energy resources go a lot farther.
In 2017, over 50 percent of the electricity TVA produces is carbon-free, which makes the Valley is an attractive place for low cost, clean and reliable energy.
Can solar meet all our energy needs?
Unfortunately, if you want the lights to turn on whenever you flip the switch, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you will not be able to rely entirely on solar until battery storage technology advances.
That’s why most people who choose to “go solar” stay connected to the conventional energy grid. That way, they can fall back on grid power at night or on cloudy days.
True or false? “Solar energy is free.”
False. Obviously, the fuel used to make solar energy—sunlight—is free. But there are costs to purchase, install and maintain a solar energy system.
Energysage estimates the national average cost of installing a typical private roof top residential solar panel system is $3.57 per watt. The good news is that the cost of installing solar in the Valley is much lower at $3.18 per watt. But the cost could vary significantly depending on system size, where you live and other factors. If you go online and search for “solar calculator,” you’ll find a number of websites that will give you a better idea of the costs and benefits of installing solar in your area.
Is solar a viable option for homeowners and small businesses?
Solar has tremendous potential as a supplemental energy source as long as you do your cost/benefit analysis. You need to evaluate the generating potential, installation cost and maintenance costs, and weigh those against your potential return on investment. Depending on your situation solar may be a good option. In fact, there already are several thousand private solar energy systems across the Tennessee Valley generating over 85 megawatts of clean energy from the rooftops of homes and businesses.
What is TVA doing to support solar energy?
We encourage Valley-based businesses and consumers to partner with us to generate clean, renewable energy through a number of TVA renewable energy programs.
Green Power Providers (GPP), which includes solar, wind, biomass and low-impact hydro generation, is targeted for residential and commercial customers who are interested in installing private renewable generation systems, 50 kilowatts or less. TVA pays GPP participants the retail rate for every kilowatt generated by their renewable energy systems.
Green Power Switch gives Valley businesses and residents a way to support technologies such as solar, wind and biomass. For as little as $4 a month, customers of participating local power companies can purchase blocks of electricity generated by cleaner, renewable sources. This electricity is then added to the region’s total power mix, offsetting the need to use other sources of energy that aren’t as clean and require finite resources. GPS is a good option for homeowners who cannot install solar on their home but want to help the environment.
We’re also working with local power companies through our Distributed Solar Solutions program to bring community solar to the Valley. Community solar can take many different forms, but the general idea is for multiple community partners to share in the cost of installing a larger, centrally located solar system. Community solar is a great option for people who want to do their part to help the environment but can’t install their own system either because of the cost or where they live.
What about solar incentives?
TVA started offering incentives for private solar projects in 2000, when solar energy was still an emerging technology. For more than a decade, we paid above retail prices for power generated from rooftop solar panels. During that time, the per-kilowatt cost of solar declined steadily. Now, solar can compete with other sources of energy on the open market so those premiums are no longer justified. That’s good news for solar—and good news for Valley power customers.
We still purchase solar energy from private solar providers through our Green Power Providers program. But we pay retail rates, and we’ve capped the amount of new projects yearly at 10 megawatts.
These changes are part of a broader effort to maximize the value of solar for the 9 million customers that our local power companies serve. They will help us keep electric rates affordable and allow us to focus on larger solar projects that can power hundreds of homes versus a single household or business.
Bottom line: Is solar the future, or is it too expensive and unreliable?
There is definitely passion on both sides of the issue. At TVA, we expect solar and other renewables to play an increasingly important role in meeting the Valley’s energy needs as technology improves and costs continue to come down. Over the next 20 years we have committed approximately $8 billion for cleaner, efficient, low cost, renewable energy resources—including solar, wind, hydro and bio gas”
I’d definitely call that a sunny future.
Media Release/Scott Fiedler
Public Relations & Corp. Info.
Tennessee Valley Authority
