Customer-owned Solar
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 options at your home or business, please be aware that BrightRidge must be notified of any solar or battery storage installation on our system. Customers must submit detailed design plans to BrightRidge Engineering prior to installation. Contact BrightRidge 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.
It’s really important that you, the customer, 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 (edt.tva.gov) 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
-
What is the estimated cost and payback for installing renewable energy?
This tool can help you make an informed decision when considering whether or not to install a small-scale solar system: Solar Calculator.
-
Where can I buy these systems?
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.
-
How much does the average generation system cost?
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.
Click HERE for additional information on the economics of residential solar.
-
Is financing available?
BrightRidge does not offer financing for power generation systems.
-
What if I have a renewable energy system and am interested in selling the generation?
You may qualify for the Dispersed Power Production Program (DPP).
The Dispersed Power Production Program allows for the generation or co-generation of renewable power systems to use and/or sell excess generation back to TVA. For more information on Dispersed Power Production, please click HERE.
-
What if I choose to install solar and use the generation?
You 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. A copy of the agreement may be found HERE.
A 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