Tennessee Valley Authority
Generation Partners Pilot Program
Generation Partners is a pilot program introduced in 2003 to support homeowners and businesses that install small-scale renewable generation, such as solar panels or wind turbines.
The program supplies renewable power to TVA's Green Power Switch and creates a market for green power generation in the TVA region.
By selling some of the green power they produce, Generation Partners participants defray the cost of their renewable systems, lower their monthly energy bills and make more green power available to consumers.
Changes Expected in 2012
In 2012, after eight years of success, Generation Partners will get a new name – Green Power Providers – and new features.
The new name will highlight the program's partnership with Green Power Switch. And the new features will encourage the continued development of distributed renewable generating resources throughout the Tennessee Valley region.
TVA is currently working with stakeholders, power distributors and the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association to refine the guidelines for Green Power Providers. Until the new guidelines are available, TVA will continue to accept new applications under the existing Generation Partners guidelines.
How the Program Works
Homeowner or Business Contacts Local Power Distributor
Before buying a renewable generation system, contact your local power company to apply for interconnection with the power grid and, once approved, sign interconnection and participation agreements with the distributor.
TVA Approves Application
Once you have signed the participation agreement with the distributor, TVA provides final approval on the agreement. Now you can go ahead and buy an eligible renewable generation system.
Generation Partners Participant Installs Green Power Source
The generating system must be installed within six months of TVA’s approval. It must comply with environmental regulations and national standards, be certified by a licensed electrician, and comply with all applicable codes.
Distributor Inspects the Site
The distributor will complete the site review and, if the system passes inspection, submit Attachment B – Qualifying System Form to TVA. The qualifying form must be sent to TVA within seven business days.
Participant Receives Payment
TVA will buy the green energy output at a rate of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour above the retail electric rate for solar, and 3 cents above retail for all other renewable sources. New participants will receive an additional $1,000 to help offset start-up costs.
How to Qualify for Generation Partners
A generation source must fulfill the following requirements to qualify:
Eligible Resources
Eligible resources include solar, wind, low-impact hydropower, and biomass. Biomass includes all solid, liquid and gaseous forms of these fuels:
- Woody waste
- Agricultural crops or waste
- Animal or other organic waste
- Energy crops
- Landfill gas and wastewater methane.
Size
It must have a minimum total nameplate generation capacity (DC) of 500 watts and a maximum of 50 kilowatts (kW). Qualifying systems cannot exceed 50 kW for a single participant on one site. This Generation Partners' maximum project size (kW cap) is subject to local interconnection requirements and capability of individual distributor systems.
Systems larger than 50kW may qualify for the Renewable Standard Offer. Learn more here.
Site Location
The system’s location must match the participant’s billing address for power services. Residential sites must be occupied. Commercial or industrial customers must have a primary business other than the generation of electricity.
Billing Meter
The meter will measure billing demand or energy consumed at the site, or both. It must be located at or near the site and fully operational when the participation agreement is signed.
System History
The site must not have generated power into the grid before January 2008 or must use new renewable resources with existing equipment.
Read more information for participants
