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Global cutting tool leader and local agencies hosted a special event on April 8, 2011, inaugurating
a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
Lenoir City, TN, April 11, 2011 --(PR.com)-- On April 8, Seco Tools hosted business leaders and
federal, state and local officials at an event inaugurating a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Lenoir
City, Tennessee. Owned by Seco Tools, the new 29.6 kilowatt (kW) solar PV system was developed,
designed and constructed by Efficient Energy of Tennessee, LLC (EETN) of Powell.
Installed at Seco Tools' Lenoir City production facility, the system is comprised of 126 SHARP solar
modules manufactured in Memphis, using AGC Flat Glass manufactured in Kingsport. Seco Tools was
awarded energy grant funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was applied to
the total system cost.
The Sharp NU-U235F1 solar modules deployed in this 29.61 kW top-of-pole mount PV system were
installed with the support of the Lenoir City Utilities Board (LCUB) and Tennessee Valley Authority
(TVA) under the TVA Generation Partners Program. It is anticipated the solar power array will generate
37,067 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean, emissions-free energy annually. This amount of power is
equivalent to powering more than 3 average Tennessee homes annually.
“Globally, Seco Tools has focused a great deal of attention on minimizing our impact on the
environment,” says Kurt Nordlund, President of Seco Tools, Inc. “The efforts undertaken at our facility in
Lenoir City, Tennessee are representative of our company's dedication to being an industry leader in
terms of green production and operation.”
The installation originated when Seco Tools participated in a free energy seminar hosted at Family
Brands International, LLC and presented by the Loudon County Economic Development Agency in
conjunction with Sam Hart, Technology and Manufacturing Consultant for the Knoxville Chamber of
Commerce. Part of an economic development strategy, the seminar allowed participants to ask questions
about taxes, grants, and installation and production of solar PV systems from solar system owner,
Wampler's Farm Sausage, and solar installer, EETN. As a result of this presentation, Seco Tools
requested a solar PV financial proposal from EETN. The resulting technical proposal included design,
engineering, cost, grants, available incentives, performance, and return on investment. EETN's proposal
helped Seco Tools make the decision to take a leadership role in renewable energy and environmental
stewardship through a clean energy investment made in East Tennessee. As a result, numerous jobs were
created or protected because of the variety of grant funding and incentives available.
“In this new economy, companies have to look at ways to become more efficient in their business
practices in order to reduce expenses while maintaining quality and competitiveness in the marketplace,”
says Pat Phillips, President of the Loudon County Economic Development Agency. “The addition of the
solar PV system at Seco Tools provides an excellent example of how investing capital in new
technologies can help to achieve a competitive advantage while also protecting the environment. Seco
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Tools is an exemplary corporate citizen and we are fortunate to have them in Loudon County.”
Seco Tools' combination of energy grants paid for 60% of the total system cost, providing clean energy at
considerably less cost for the business. The grants Seco Tools received include the U.S. Department of
Treasury Renewable Energy Grant and the Tennessee Solar Institute Installation Grant. The installation of
this solar system provided jobs and support to the growing solar energy industry in the state of Tennessee.
Seco Tools is providing clean energy to east Tennessee and making a profit doing so. As a participant in
the TVA Generation Partners Program, the company will be paid a premium for the electricity it
generates from the solar PV system for at least the next ten years. Seco Tools' system is warranted to
produce up to 80% of its generating capacity for the next 25 years. It should continue producing power
beyond that for another 25 years or more.
The U.S. Department of Treasury Renewable Energy Grant will pay 30% of the total cost of a solar PV
system, without any cap. This federal grant requires a simple application to be submitted online after the
system has been completely installed and commissioned. Businesses investing in renewable energy
technology may apply for the grant if they begin construction on their system before December 31, 2011.
The Tennessee Solar Institute Installation grant paid $2.00 per watt for this 29.61 kW solar PV System.
This funding has been fully allocated.
The TVA Generation Partners Program is a ten-year contract between TVA, the local utility and the
business owner. As an incentive to sign up for the program, TVA will credit the business $1,000 on the
company's utility bill. In the contract, TVA agrees to purchase the clean energy produced by the system
for the retail rate plus an additional $0.12, effectively cutting the payback of a solar system in half.
Using the grants to purchase a solar energy system goes beyond a good business investment. Having
undertaken global green initiatives in recent years, Seco Tools was motivated by the opportunity to
benefit the environment by producing clean energy. As active members in the local community, Seco
Tools' staff were also enthusiastic about the investment resulting in the creation of jobs in Tennessee. By
purchasing a solar PV system with this grant assistance, funding is brought to the state of Tennessee that
will increase the state's tax base and would otherwise go to another state. Also, selecting a solar installer
such as EETN, that exclusively uses Tennessee-manufactured SHARP solar panels, further supports jobs
in the state.
“Seco Tools' solar system is a huge accomplishment for both Seco and EETN and is a perfect example of
the grant funding at work in the state of Tennessee,” said Harvey Abouelata, VP Sales and Marketing for
EETN. “EETN uses SHARP solar panels, which are produced in Memphis, Tennessee, creating and
protecting jobs in our state. Additionally, SHARP uses AGC Flat Glass, which is produced in Kingsport,
Tennessee, further creating and protecting Tennessee jobs. Our company also benefits from the
installation. Seco Tools benefits from a reduction in energy costs. The environment is improved by
reduction of pollution and CO2. TVA benefits from a slight reduction in its load. The positive ripple
effect is far-reaching, affecting jobs, the environment, and profits, resulting in an all-around victory.”
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Seco Tools, Inc. has 40 wholly-owned subsidiaries, agents and distributors in more than 50 countries
around the world. EETN's installation for Seco Tools' Lenoir City, Tennessee operation is the company's
first solar PV system.
This project was made possible in part by a solar installation grant from The Tennessee Solar Institute.
The Tennessee Solar Institute is part of the Volunteer State Solar Initiative, a comprehensive solar energy
and economic development program that was established using $62.5 million in American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding received by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development through the Department of Energy.
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Media Contacts:
dgs Marketing Engineers®
Leslie Galbreath
317-813-2223
or
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Harvey Abouelata, VP Sales & Marketing
(865) 386-7860
Efficient Energy of Tennessee
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Contact Information:
Efficient Energy Of Tennessee
Harvey Abouelata
(865) 947-3386
harvey@eeten.com
www.eetenn.com/
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