Solar Payoff: Grants Help Vonore Vet Harness Sun’s Power

By Melissa Kinton Daily Times Correspondent

VONORE — Dr. Johnny Gobble dreamed of harnessing the sun’s power long before it was the “in” thing to do. After several decades of research and with a lot of financial support, Gobble finally has an office that generates its own electricity. His new veterinary facility, Tellico Bay Animal Hospital, was completed on Highway 411 in Vonore last year. It has 130 solar panels on the roof to help cover the business’s high electric bills.

Gobble worked with the Knoxville company, Sustainable Future, to secure grants for almost $159,000 of the $180,000 price tag. Gobble first heard about solar power as a teenager. It was expensive and bulky but intriguing. He has kept up with the changes in the technology his entire life.“I always wanted it (solar power) but the cost was so much higher than it paid back,” he said. Now Gobble makes more electricity than he needs on most days. He sells the extra kilowatts to the Tennessee Valley Authority. “It’s like having a rental property with no tenants to deal with,” he chuckled.

The Numbers:

Gobble owed $250 on a recent electric bill. However, he earned $900 by selling the electricity he generated. That means instead of writing a check, he received a check for $650. Gobble’s panels are high tech — they are connected to the Internet. Gobble can tell how many kilowatts his panels are generating by checking his “Sunny WebBox.” He has learned that on cloudy days, his system generates around 50 kilowatts of electricity. On those days, he has to buy electricity. But on sunny days, it can create up to 200 kilowatts. A few sunny days generate enough electricity to create a surplus, which more than covers his costs on cloudy days. Gobble’s system is projected to produce some 38,000 kilowatt-hours annually. He used just more than 19,000 kilowatt-hours a year at his previous location. Sustainable Future can also monitor Gobble’s panels online to determine if they need maintenance. The panels have a 25-year warranty and only occasionally require debris removal. Although the panels are still expensive, Annette Gomberg of Sustainable Future said the panels cost half what they did just five years ago.

Gobble worked closely with Gomberg’s company when he was building his office. The solar company recommended the proper roof pitch and even told Gobble which direction to angle the building in order to maximize sunlight on the panels.

Grants still available:

Gomberg said because of the types of grants available, her company had been working with a lot of small businesses like Gobble’s lately. She said there are still funds available for businesses and agricultural producers in rural areas.“The grants have really helped,” she said.

Chris Davis with the Tennessee Solar Institute said last year his agency received $14.5 million for solar innovation and $9 million for solar installation from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Statewide, the installation money helped 112 companies like Gobble’s go solar.“The goal was to make solar more widespread and to gauge the interest,” said Davis. 

Sustainable Future is counting on the money inspiring more small business owners like Gobble to make the switch to solar. The company recently received $250,000 in solar grants that it plans to use to build a Solar Park in West Knoxville. (Actually our office is in SOUTH Knoxville 201 Ogle Ave - FYI if anyone wants to come by) Gomberg said the park would cost more than $500,000 to complete.

“We’re not doing it to be the best in Tennessee,” she said. “We’re doing it to be the best ever. Our goal is to be a showcase for solar.”

Article by Melissa Kinton -  Daily Times Correspondent

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