Green, Smart, Solar Homes On Scheduled Tours

The Green Homes Tour is slated October 8-9, featuring 10 homes, while the third annual Middle Tennessee Solar Tour is also scheduled October 8.

Sponsored by the Cumberland River Compact and the U.S. Green Building Council Middle Tennessee Chapter, the first annual Green Homes Tour of Middle Tennessee is scheduled October 8-9. Hours are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on October 8 and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on October 9. Middle Tennessee’s First Green Homes Tour will showcase the beauty and benefits of 12 green homes and inspire homeowners to take action for green building and landscape options. The public will be engaged to see beautiful, eco-friendly homes and yards; learn about the practices and benefits of sustainable building and low impact landscaping; and act to live more sustainably in Middle Tennessee homes and neighborhoods. Expert tour guides will be on hand and there will be energy and water efficiency projects, geothermal installations, rainwater harvesting, and more on display.

Tickets are $10 per person and $20 for a family of 2-4 people. Advance purchase online at www.greenhomestourmidtn.com until 5 p.m. on October 7. Tickets will be available at each house on the day of of the tour and may be paid for in cash or check only. Proceeds benefit the educational mission of the Cumberland River Compact and US Green Building Council.

The homes will showcase third party certified green building features in a wide price range from low income to moderate to luxury homes.  Several tour homes are available in each section of Middle Tennessee so you can view 3-4 homes in nearby proximity. The homes on the tour were selected for their whole house approach to sustainability including green building, eco-friendly landscaping, and healthy living design for homeowners.  Each home will include on-site experts plus educational materials on sustainable house features, economic savings, and detail sheets on designer, contractor, vendor and product information.

E3 Innovate is participating in both tours and may provide information at 615-876-5479 or www.e3innovate.com.

The third annual Middle Tennessee Solar Tour is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on October 8, and is sponsored by LightWave Solar. The tour is free and self-guided. Tours will begin every half hour. System owners and solar experts will be on-site to answer questions and show-off system components. For more information call Grace Robertson at 615-641-4050, ext. 104 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . On the day of the tour, call 615-812-6861. For a map of the locations, click here.

The tour includes:

GroWild
7190 Hill Hughes Road Fairview, TN 37062 --  GroWild has a very unique 26 kW pole-mounted solar PV system in picturesque countyside.  System consists of 108 solar panels on nine poles.

Arts Center of Cannon County
1424 John Bragg Highway Woodbury, TN 37190 --  Staff with LightWave Solar and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation will introduce solar power and energy efficiency concepts. The Arts Center's solar installation was awarded the 2011 TN Governor's Energy Leadership Environmental Award. The project includes a 29kW system, a time lapse video of the installation, and real time energy production display in the lobby. Presentations will begin at 10:15, 11:15, and 12:15. Optional - Attendees of the presentations will be provided with directions to a 3kW pole mount residential system located 5 miles away.

Street Dixon Rick Architecture
107 Kenner Avenue  Nashville, TN 37205 -- In 2006 SDR was the first business in Nashville to receive a state grant for solar.  Their solar PV system is 12 kW and consists of Sharp solar panels manufactured here in Tennessee.

Private Home
5720 Hearthstone Ln, Brentwood, TN 37027 -- Home has the largest residential solar PV system in Middle TN at 19 kW.  Home has HERS energy efficiency rating of 42 and includes a solar thermal system.

Priavet Home
301 Battle Rd, Antioch, TN 37013 -- Home belongs to Steve Johnson, owner of LightWave Solar.  His residence features a 7 kW PV solar system on a passive solar & NES Energy Saver home with a geothermal heating and cooling system. Tour also includes solar powered golf cart, solar water pump, solar attic fans & small off-grid system on barn.

Private Home
801 Lealand Ln, Nashville, TN 37204 -- Home has a 4 kW solar PV system and features energy efficient measures throughout. HERS rating is in the works.

Private Home
314 White Moss Pl, Franklin, TN 37064 -- Home has a 6 kW solar PV system, and it is the first solar home in Westhaven.