Southern Solar and Electric, Inc
469 McQuiston Road
Brighton, TN 38011
(901)219-7462

Sparco.com goes solar with help of Tenn. Clean Energy Technology grant

By James Dowd

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Solar Roof at Sparco installed by Southern Solar & Electric. Click here for more Solar images.

If Soo-Tsong Lim ever decides to adopt a theme song for Sparco.com -- his Millington-based software, hardware and information technology services company -- there's a good chance he might just choose "Let the Sunshine In."

Or, perhaps, "Here Comes the Sun." Possibly "Soak Up the Sun" or, for that matter, any other pop paean that celebrates the bright-shining star.

That's because Lim's firm recently underwent a solar-power retrofit that will dramatically reduce the company's dependence on traditional energy sources. The last stage of the monthlong renovation wraps up this week.

In addition to future savings, Lim said the project is financially viable because most of the cost was covered by state and federal funding and incentives.

Although the retrofit cost nearly $150,000, the Tennessee Clean Energy Technology grant program funded 40 percent and Lim received a 30 percent federal tax credit for the project.

Sparco.com is one of six businesses in the state -- and the first in West Tennessee -- to receive a TN-CET grant.

"The initial capital outlay is a sound investment in the company and a long-term commitment to the community," Lim said. "The way we see it, this should pay for itself in about five years. We'll save money on our utility bills and be environmentally responsible at the same time."

Sparco.com, founded in 1991 in Starkville, Miss., moved to 7089 Ryburn in Millington in 2003. The company has grown from its original two-man staff to 20 employees operating more than 50 computers in a 4,800-square-foot building.

Last summer, Lim began to research ways to reduce his energy costs after he talked to a friend in Minneapolis who had installed a residential solar energy system.

After a few months, he discovered the TN-CET program, applied for it and was approved. Lim then hired Terry Schaf of Southern Solar & Electric to carry out the project.

"We're trying to educate the public about the advantages of solar power," said Schaf, vice president of the Brighton, Tenn.-based company. "It's an economical response to concerns that a lot of people are having today about dependence on fossil fuels. There's also the savings factor, which can be substantial."

The Sparco.com renovation consists of 120 roof solar panels and five inverters that will generate about one-third of the electricity the company uses each year. The impact on the environment will be substantial, Lim said.

More than 33,000 pounds of carbon, 1,800 gallons of gasoline and 35 barrels of oil will be saved each year once the system is functional.

And Lim's monthly utility bills should start to decrease almost immediately.

"Once the system begins storing energy, he'll be able to come to the office on the weekends when the place is closed and actually watch his meter running backward," Schaf said.

Ryan Gooch, energy policy director for the state Department of Economic and Community Development, said $4 million has been allocated for the TN-CET program, but additional state funding is expected if interest in the program continues to grow.

"We're incredibly excited about it and believe this will be a national model for businesses," Gooch said. "The increase in the clean- energy sector is important to our state's economic development, and it's beneficial to our environment."

So far, more than $160,000 has been awarded to companies that have adopted clean-energy systems. The maximum grant is 40 percent of the cost of an installed system, or up to $75,000. The minimum grant is $5,000.

The program is open to any for-profit retail, industrial or commercial business in Tennessee. Grants are awarded depending on available funding, and are distributed on a reimbursement basis only.

For information about the program or application materials, call (615) 253-1943.

-- James Dowd: 529-2737

Tennessee Clean Energy Technology Grant Program

Purpose: Provide funding for businesses to identify, purchase and install approved solar- and clean-energy technology systems

Funding: $4 million has been initially allocated for program, but that amount may increase

Projects: Six grants have been awarded to date, totaling more than $160,000

Details: For more information, call (615) 253-1943
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