Two rural Tennessee counties receive federal development grants for solar systems

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two businesses in rural Middle Tennessee counties will receive grants worth thousands of dollars to install solar systems and improve energy efficiency and foster further economic development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced.

According to a list published by the USDA, Franklin and White counties have development projects that were awarded the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable and Energy Efficiency Program grants.

Cedar Rock Castle LLC in Winchester received a $62,781 grant to install a 17.76 kilowatt (kW) ground-mounted solar system with battery storage at the wedding and meeting venue.

The project is estimated to save the business $2,580 annually and generate 23,457 kilowatt hours (kWh), enough energy to power two homes, according to the USDA.

In White County, Sparta Self Storage received a $48,098 grant to install a 13.05 kW roof-mounted solar system. The project will save the business $635 annually and generate 16,630 kWh, the USDA estimated.

The local grants were part of the larger $162 million available as grants or loans through REAP Renewable and Energy Efficiency Program. Total grant funds available for the program were $35,432,971, with the remaining $127,502,420 available as loans, per the USDA.

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