The 2011 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards were announced Mondayand Cannon County will be represented in the awards ceremony held in
Nashville August 12th. The Cannon County Arts Center won the award in the
category of energy leadership
The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program recognizes
exceptional voluntary actions that improve or protect our environment and
natural resources with projects or initiatives not required by law or
regulation. This marks the 25th year for the awards program. Thirty-six
professionals from various public and private organizations judged more
than 100 nominations to determine the various 14 award recipients.
The winner of one additional honor, the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime
Achievement Award, will be announced at the awards ceremony in August.
Solar Power at the Arts Center – Cannon County
The Arts Center serves as a cultural center for Cannon County and the five
surrounding counties, providing both art and education as a not-for-profit
organization. A private investor, Good Earth Energy, leased the center’s
roof to prepare for a 29 kilowatt solar installation. After 15 years of
operation, the system will be donated to the Arts Center. After the system
has been in operation for 16 years, the Arts Center will obtain ownership
of the solar array – benefiting directly from reduced energy bills. Good
Earth funded an educational kiosk inside the Arts Center, featuring
real-time output displayed on monitors for the viewing public. LightWave
Solar installed the system and funded a time-lapse video of the
installation to be played in the educational kiosk and through various
electronic media. Also significant is the solar billboard, which is
located on the roof and visible to the 13,000 people that pass the center
daily.
