LENOIR CITY (WATE) - Can you imagine burgers and sausage for sale in East Tennessee made with the help of the sun? It's going to become a reality.
Five companies in Loudon and Knox Counties have received federal financing for renewable energy systems, officials announced Friday morning in Lenoir City.
The companies are: Wampler's Farm Sausage, Family Brands International, Greater Growth, McFarland Pharmacy and Apothecary and Pioneer Heating and Air Conditioning.
The money is from the U.S. Department of Agricultures's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
This program helps rural businesses and farmers to benefit from advances in renewable energy production and energy efficiency improvements.
Recipients can also use REAP grants to cover up to 25 percent of most costs to buy and install renewable energy systems.
Wampler's Farm Sausage Company received a $250,000 grant and a $1,230,585 low-interest loan. Those will be combined with $866,089 from Wampler's to install 2,240 solar panels and two electric inverters.
"It's going to make us more competitive in the next several decades," said Ted Wampler Junior, president and chief operating officer. "In the first 30 days, we actually got about 18% of our total kilowatt needs off of the sun. So it's pretty good."
Wampler said energy savings, job creation, and a positive legacy all served as motivation for the large project. "We understand that taking care of the environment is so important. It is especially important to my children and their friends. No longer am I being accused of trying to destroy planet Earth. Now I am a hero, we're trying to save planet Earth," he added.
McFarland Pharmacy and Apothecary received a $46,875 grant that will be combined with $75,000 from the state and $65,625 from the company to install 126 solar panels and one electric inverter.
Family Brands International received a $46,875 REAP grant that will be combined with $75,000 from the state and $65,625 from the company to install 126 large solar panels and one electric inverter.
Greater Growth received an $18,123 REAP grant that will be combined with a $1,000 grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority and $53,369 from the company to buy and install 250 solar panels and three electric inverters.
Pioneer Heating and Air Conditioning of Knox County received an $11,250 REAP grant that will be combined with $33,750 from the company to install a Geothermal Heating and Cooling System. It will offset heating and cooling costs in the warehouse and office.
The SHARP solar panels are manufactured in Memphis with special glass manufactured by AGC Flat Glass North America in Kingsport.
The new solar array at Wampler's is expected to generate about half the energy needed to operate its commercial ovens, refrigeration and other electricity needs.
Bobby Goode, Tennessee director of USDA Rural Development said of Wampler's, "This place should be a postcard for solar energy, not just across Tennessee, but all across the country. These panels were manufactured in Memphis, the glass comes from Tennessee, I'm sure the aluminum, some of it comes from Tennessee, and even the wiring harnesses. So this is truly a Tennessee solar project."
The energy expected to be produced by the five projects should reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of more than 60,100 gallons of gasoline, 1,200 barrels of oil or the average electricity consumed by more than 64 U.S. homes.
