Inman Solar of Chattanooga, Tenn. was tapped to engineer and integrate the solar solution for Custom Packaging, which employed contractors from Nashville, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, and Manchester to complete the project.

In total, more than 25 people were involved with completing the project that was funded in part by federal and state grant dollars. In addition to the grants, the power generated will be sold to Middle Tennessee EMC at a premium rate through Tennessee Valley Authority's Green Partners program.

"Projects like this represent a win-win for the customer and the community alike," said Steve Chiariello, Principal of Inman Solar. "Custom Packaging gets a great investment that will increase in value as energy prices increase. The community benefits from jobs and from the reduced carbon emissions for 30 years."

Solar remains the cleanest of all renewable energy alternatives.

The effort is one of several energy improvement projects Custom Packaging Engineering Manager Ron Girten has undertaken over the years to reduce their energy bills.

"We have been looking at solar and other renewable energy projects for a long time but were never able to make the economics work. This was a way to save money and reduce our exposure to rising energy prices. The environmental benefits are a nice bonus."

The system will produce about 10 percent of the plant's total power, resulting in savings of more than $25,000 per year. The reduction of carbon and other harmful emissions that results from this installation is the equivalent of removing 16.6 cars off of roads, or the equivalent of carbon that is absorbed annually by 26 acres of trees.

Their solar project contributes to the plants overall reduction of more than 300,000 kWh per year and reduced peak demand by about 15 percent.

According to Custom Packaging CEO Jackie Cowden, the benefits are even broader. "We have always tried to be good corporate citizens and have our community proud of our efforts, while incorporating concepts that make our employees proud to work here. Solar is a way to help make Tennessee a cleaner and more sustainable place to live and work while saving on energy costs. It just makes sense environmentally and economically."

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

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