With Green Power Switch, you have the power to change the way electricity is generated throughout the region, reducing emissions and saving natural resources. If you wish to buy green power, Green Power Switch is just for you. If you wish to generate green power, Generation Partners provides incentives.  



Interested in buying green power?
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), in partnership with MLGW and other electric utilities, has created Green Power Switch, a green energy pricing program designed to fund new sources of electric generation.  By converting the energy in the sun, wind and methane gas, TVA now generates a portion of our electricity from renewable resources.  This clean, green energy gets mixed into the overall electric supply, reducing the need for traditional generation.  Currently, green power accounts for far less than 1% of the electricity TVA generates but, as more customers enroll, that percentage will grow. Currently, more than 12,000 households and businesses across the Tennessee Valley participate.



Interested in generating renewable power at your home or business?
Customers who want to generate renewable power and sell it to TVA (MLGW's electric provider) can participate in Generation Partners. With Generation Partners, you receive a generation incentive for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of green power you generate during the 10-year term of the agreement. The incentive is shown as a lineitem credit on your monthly MLGW bill, with any credit balance paid out at the end of each year.

While renewable energy resources are free, the facilities designed to capture their energy and generate electricity are far more expensive to construct than traditional plants.  To encourage investment in these costlyfacilities, environmentally conscious customers like you can voice your support by purchasing green power for $4 per block.  This cost appears as a line item on your monthly MLGW bill, in addition to your normal electric charges.


TVA announced changes to the Generation Partners pilot on 9/6/2011:

• Generation Partners was launched by TVA and local power distributors as a pilot in 2003 with TVA paying premium incentives to spur small scale renewable generation. It is supported by revenues from renewable power sponsored through TVA's Green Power Switch program.
   
• The region's tremendous solar growth in 2010 caused the pilot to quickly outgrow Green Power Switch. The shift back to the original focus on small scale installations will restore the balance of supply and demand necessary to allow Generation Partners and Green Power Switch to continue as long lasting, successful endeavors.
   
• TVA and participating distributors, including MLGW, will continue to offer the existing Generation Partners premiums and incentives through 2012 while a new long-term replacement program is developed.
   
• New Generation Partners applications are limited to 50 kW DC per customer location for projects approved by MLGW after 9/16/2011. The new approach provides incentives for the residential and small commercial projects that were the original focus of Generation Partners. Renewable systems of less than 50 kilowatts make up more than 80% of all executed and approved projects as of 7/31/2011 and account for only 11% of the program's megawatt capacity.
   
• A customer with multiple accounts and/or buildings on contiguous property (such as a campus or manufacturing facility) is deemed one location and can submit for a total of 50 kW.
   
• TVA will fulfill its commitment to evaluate projects up to 200 kW that have Participation Agreements executed and approved by MLGW and Participants on or before Friday, September 16, 2011. Projects must be submitted with sufficient time for MLGW staff to review, approve and execute the Participation Agreement. MLGW will review and approve completed applications on a first-come basis. No partial applications will be reviewed.
   
• Read TVA's Generation Partners fact sheet and 9/6/2011 news release.

Generation Partners eligibility and incentives:

• Solar, wind and biogas generation systems are allowed
   
• Must have an active MLGW electric account at the address
   
• Depending on infrastructure at individual locations, some projects may require an MLGW interconnection study and additional costs could be incurred to connect systems to MLGW's electric grid.
   
• A $1,000 one-time incentive applied to your MLGW account at the time your system is operational
   
• Flexible incentive rates of $0.12 per kWh (solar) and $0.03 per kWh (wind and other sources), on top of the applicable residential retail electric rate and fuel cost adjustment. For non-residential customers, the applicable rate is deemed to be the GSA-1 rate plus fuel cost adjustment.

Additional information:

• Federal Tax Credits are applicable for solar generation equipment installed through 2016. The credit is equal to 30% of the installed system cost.
   
• Neither MLGW nor TVA provides financing for renewable generation. Businesses and certain non-profits may qualify for low-interest loans through the Energy Efficiency Loan program at Pathway Lending. Visit www.pathwaylending.org for details about this program, which uses public and private funds to encourage investments in energy efficiency and renewable generation.
   
• Neither MLGW nor TVA recommends contractors for the Generation Partners program. We do, however, offer these additional resources to assist in your research.
   
• For more information, visit TVA's Generation Partners website.

Documents and forms to be completed:

• Access MLGW's Generation Partners Overview for detailed steps and contact information.
   
• Access the Customer Participation Agreement (Attachment A). You will complete sections on pages 1, 3, 6 and 7 only. MLGW will select the metering interconnection based on your project plan. Option 1 is the default. NOTE: a revised Participation Agreement showing the 50 kW maximum will be available shortly.
   
• Access the Application for Interconnection of Distributed Generation based on project size. Tier 1 addresses systems up to 10 kW, Tier 2 covers systems greater than10 kW up to 50 kW.
   
• Access MLGW's Interconnection and Parallel Operation Agreement. MLGW will prepare, sign and send this document to participant after TVA has approved the Generation Partners Customer Participation Agreement. Participant then signs and returns with proof of insurance.
   
• Access, complete and submit the Certificate of Completion upon acceptance by the Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement. Each project must be completed, inspected by Code Enforcement, accepted by MLGW and operational within six months of the date that TVA executed the Participation Agreement.

Interested in generating more than 50 kW of renewable power?
TVA has lowered the minimum size of projects for its Renewable Standard Offer to coincide with changes in the Generation Partners' pilot. The Renewable Standard Offer now accommodates renewable generation projects with capacity greater than 50 kW up to 20 MW. For details, visit TVA's website.