Subsidized solar array bolt of good news for supplier

photo Jimmy Crawford, an employee of Hayward Bolt and Speciality, shields his eyes from the sun while viewing the solar panels on the roof of the business. About 104 individual panels were installed.

• What: 30,000-watt solar array

• Company: Hayward Bolt & Specialty

• Location: 2805 S. Orchard Knob Ave.

• How it's green: The solar array will produce enough power to meet about half the company's needs.

• Why do it this way? The energy production will save about $9,600 annually, according to company President Patsy Hayward. "It made sense," she said. "Everybody's trying to save money somehow."

• What's the cost? The array, installed by Tennessee Solar Solutions, cost a total of $135,000. The Tennessee Solar Institute paid for 36 percent of that. Another 30 percent of total costs were covered by federal grants, leaving about $45,000 for Hayward. That means the company should recover its investment in a few years. "It's better than what I'm getting at the bank," Hayward said. "It's better than what I'm getting at the stock market."

• Advice for others considering green initiatives: Have patience. It can often take a while to fill out all the paperwork and meet with all the people needed to make a business more green.

• Is environmentalism an essential part of the business and why? The company looks for everyday ways they can become more environmentally friendly, such as recycling. "We try to do our best without going crazy," Hayward said.

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