What is Music City Solar?
Nashville’s first community solar array gives NES customers access to sustainable, maintenance-free solar energy without the hassle and costs associated with installing panels on their home or business. Music City Solar is the largest solar photovoltaic system in Davidson County, producing an estimated 55 million kilowatt-hours of green energy over its lifetime.
How does it work?
- Solar panels are installed at a sunny site in our service area allowing anyone to go solar, even if you don’t own a home or if your rooftop is shaded by trees or buildings.
- Solar electricity is generated and metered by NES at the community solar site instead of having panels on your roof and for less than the price you would ordinarily pay for a solar installation.
- Clean energy is added to the power grid and a solar credit is included on your electric bill each month.
Why should I participate?
- It’s an easy and affordable way to participate in a solar energy project.
- There are no maintenance or repair costs.
- It works for anyone including renters, condo owners and those with homes not suitable for a rooftop installation.
- You’ll receive a credit on your monthly energy bill through year 2038 for the electricity generated.
- If you move, you can easily transfer your solar panel subscription and energy credits to your new account within the NES service area.
- You’ll help Nashville strive to become “the greenest city in the Southeast.”
Who is eligible?
NES residential and commercial customers are eligible to participate. In addition, individuals and corporations can make a one-time, solar angel donation to The Community Foundation. All proceeds from the output of those solar panels will go to assist low-income customers through energy-efficiency and weatherization programs or as a solar energy credit on their monthly bill.
When is it happening?
We’re breaking ground on a two megawatt community solar site in January 2018. That means, by this summer, you could be helping to generate clean energy in Middle Tennessee.
How do I get started?
- Give Solar – You can purchase subscriptions to individual solar panels and give the energy output to friends or family members. They’ll benefit from receiving the energy credit on their bill each month. You can also make a one-time, tax-deductible “solar angel” donation to The Community Foundation for low-income customers who qualify.
- Go Solar – You can purchase subscriptions to individual solar panels and receive the energy credit on your monthly electric bill. The one-time, upfront subscription price per panel is $166.63 (plus applicable fees). Financing options are available.
Who do I contact about financing that is offered?
Regions Bank
NESsolar@regions.com
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Beth Deering, Financial Advisor
beth.deering@pnfp.com
Tyane R. Powell, Community Development Manager
tyane.powell@pnfp.com
Where is the community solar site located?
Nashville’s first community solar array consisting of 17,020 panels is situated along I-65 on Old Due West Avenue near TriStar Skyline Medical Center in North Nashville.
How do I sign up?
NES will begin taking applications in January 2018. The site will be ready to generate power by early summer 2018.
How much does it cost?
The one-time, upfront subscription fee per panel is $166.63 (plus applicable fees) and covers the cost of construction, operations and maintenance and administrative fees for the remaining length of time of the 20-year program.
Where do I mail my payment?
If you selected pay by check, you will need to mail your payment to the following address within 21 days to secure your panel subscription:
Nashville Electric Service
Music City Solar Project
P.O. Box 305100
Nashville, TN 37230-5100
How long am I committed?
Subscribers will receive solar energy credits on their bill for the length of the power agreement contract with NES, which is the remaining time from the original 20-year term. Customers have the option to assign their credits to a beneficiary within the NES service area, if necessary.
What happens if I move?
You can easily transfer your solar panel subscription and energy credits to your new account if you move within the NES service area.
How much energy will my panel produce?
It is estimated that the average monthly output per panel is 14 kilowatt hours (kWh).
What will my bill look like? Will I save money?
Subscribers will see a solar energy credit listed on their bill each month. Based on preliminary energy output calculations, the annual solar credit is approximately $11.88 per panel.
What happens if there’s no availability?
Your name will be added to a waiting list in case additional panels become available. NES is also actively exploring future community solar sites within our service area.
How do I monitor my community solar account?
As a subscriber, you can access your community solar data by logging into My Account at myaccount.nespower.com.
What are the technical specs?
Music City Solar is made up of two million watts of solar generation using CAT thin-film solar modules that are manufactured right here in the United States. The 117.5 watt solar panels sit on a fixed-tilt racking structure. The total nameplate capacity is two megawatts of DC power.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email gosolar@nespower.com or call NES Customer Relations at 615-736-6900.