Tennessee Valley Authority
Green
Power Switch
Generation Partners®
TVA and participating power distributors offer consumers
a great opportunity
to support the growth of green power in the Tennessee Valley. It’s
called Green Power Switch (GPS)
Generation Partners. This program provides support and incentives for the
installation of solar
and wind generating facilities. This makes more green power
available for GPS subscribers.
And it creates a market for
small-scale green power generation by homeowners and small businesses.
Participating Generation Partner Power Distributors
How
the program works
- A solar or wind generation source is installed by a residential or small commercial power customer served by a participating distributor of TVA power.
- TVA will purchase 100 percent of the green power output at a rate of 15 cents per kilowatt-hour. Residential users may also qualify for an additional $500 incentive to help offset start-up costs.
- Payment is made in the form of a credit issued by the local power distributor on the monthly power bill for the home or business where the generation system is located. Payments are guaranteed for 10 years from the date of the contract. Energy consumed at the home or business, whether it is generated at the site or delivered over the local power distribution system, is billed at the standard rate.
- All equipment must be in compliance with national standards and all applicable codes and be certified by a licensed electrician.
GPS Generation Partners support the environment by using renewable energy sources, and they also help themselves by defraying investment costs and lowering their monthly energy bills through the revenue they receive from the sale of the green power.
You do not have to subscribe to the Green Power Switch program to participate in GPS Generation Partners, nor does the power distributor have to be a participant in Green Power Switch.
Provisions and system requirements
Generation sources must fulfill the following requirements to qualify:
- They must be photovoltaic or wind turbine systems with outputs of 0.5 to 50 kW AC.
- They must be used primarily to provide all or part of the energy needs at the site.
- They must not have previously generated power into the grid.
- They must meet accreditation requirements set by the Center for Resource Solutions for Green Power Switch.
Following are the installation requirements:
- The interconnection and safety equipment must be listed by UL or ETL for grid connected terrestrial power systems.
- The system must include a lockable disconnect device accessible by distributor personnel.
- It must include a generation meter base for each type of qualifying system that is located so as to provide easy access to the billing meter.
- The system must be manufactured and installed in compliance with the National Electric Code.
- It must be permitted and certified by a licensed electrician, and pass applicable code inspections.
Note: System owners must check with their local power distributor for program details and specific requirements for participation.
Other provisions
- TVA retains sole rights to any renewable energy credits.
- The purchase, installation, operation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of the system as well as interconnection and safety equipment are the responsibility of the participant.
Generation purchase
- TVA will purchase the total output of the qualifying generation system.
- The purchase price is 15 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Note: This is a demo rate only. The rate may change later based on factors such as changes in standard rates or GPS acquisition costs.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a GPS Generation Partner, contact your local distributor of TVA power.
