Solar For Your Home
Whether you want to raise your home value, reduce your carbon footprint or lower your electric costs, a solar roof top system might be an option. Incentives like the federal tax credit help reduce up-front costs, but it’s a major investment. Solar energy doesn’t work for every roof so it’s important to do a lot of research and make sure it will provide clear benefits, a manageable payback term, a reputable contractor and your homes’ roof is structurally ready for such a system.
Renewable energy systems, such as solar arrays, can offer many benefits for your home. Ensuring the solar panels are professionally and safely installed is important. As you consider these options, please be aware BrightRidge must be notified of any solar or battery storage installation on our system. Once the system is installed and the electrical inspection(s) complete, BrightRidge personnel will conduct a site inspection and test to ensure no generation can flow back to the electric grid in the event of a power interruption.
Customers installing renewable energy generation systems at their property must complete an application and interconnection agreement. Customers must submit the agreement, application, detailed design plans, and application fee ($500.00) to BrightRidge prior to installation. The BrightRidge application and interconnection agreement can be found HERE. Contact BrightRidge at contactus@brightridge.com to submit an application and for information on requirements and policies for customer-owned generation systems.
Tips to Consider
Get quotes from multiple companies
Carefully read terms of any contract
Ask for references and check reviews
Verify licensing and certification
Ask questions if anything is not clear
Information Before Installation
It’s important that you verify any company and their employees to ensure they have current licenses and certifications such as business and electrical licenses, NABCEP certification (nabcep.org), or other local requirements. Installers must adhere to all local building codes, purchase required permits, and pass all post-installation inspections. BrightRidge will inspect each system to ensure it has been safely installed. Each system MUST be inspected by state or city inspectors and receive approval before the system is connected.
Online tools such as TVA’s Solar Calculator can also assist you in determining the proper solar array size for your home, estimated annual generation, number of solar panels, and estimated costs and payback.
FAQs
TVA and BrightRidge do not recommend specific contractors, vendors, or installers. It is recommended that you research contractors to ensure quality work. HOWEVER, it is recommended that your installer has completed the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP) Associate Level Certification and received an Achievement Award, or have completed the requirements and standards of NABCEP to become a Certified PV Installer.
Industry estimates are between $2,500 – $3,000 per kW (1000 watts). The average residential system size is between 8 and 10 kW. Using this estimate, the average cost may vary between $20,000 and $30,000. Please note this is only an estimate. Prices and type of equipment may vary among installers and may not include battery storage.
Residential Solar EconomicsBrightRidge cannot purchase solar energy from our customers. Under the TVA Dispersed Power Production (DPP) option, you may use and/or sell excess generation to TVA. An interconnection agreement with BrightRidge is required prior to enrolling in DPP, along with required fees and the agreement and design plans submitted to BrightRidge for review and processing.
Dispersed Power Production ProgramYou may choose to install solar “behind the meter” and use the generation for your home. Under this option, your solar array is not directly connected to the BrightRidge distribution system. Once the system is installed and the electrical inspection(s) complete, BrightRidge metering personnel will conduct a site inspection and test to ensure no generation can flow back to the electric grid in the event of a power interruption. It is critical we maintain a safe operating system, therefore, customers installing renewable energy generation systems at their property must complete an interconnection agreement for behind the meter generation.
Interconnection AgreementA completed and signed copy, along with a one-line diagram, should be submitted to contactus@brightridge.com, or mailed to:
BrightRidge
Attn: Marketing
P.O. Box 1636
Johnson City, TN 37605-1636
This tool can help you make an informed decision when considering whether or not to install a small-scale solar system:
Solar CalculatorBrightRidge does not offer financing for power generation systems.
Explore Our Solar Farms
Located just outside of Jonesborough in the Telford Community, this 5MW (dc) solar farm is capable of producing enough electricity to power more than 500 homes every year.
Telford Solar FarmLocated in rural Washington County, this 9MW (dc) solar farm is capable of producing enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes every year.
Martin Solar FarmLocated at BrightRidge’s headquarters and generates 500 kW of energy, sufficient to power the Administrative Offices while providing students with a unique hands-on learning lab.
BrightRidge Solar Lab