Why Solar Matters for Tellico Village
by Jeff Corthell, Sandra McEntire, James and Lynn Howe; Aesthetics and Environment Committee
Have you noticed an increase in your electric bill? And are you concerned about electric outages leading to loss of food, medical appliances, medication, etc., and the likelihood of more such events in the summer and winter months. (Nashville’s electrical outage after the winter 2026 storm exceeded 21 days in some neighborhoods!) Further, TVA estimates that rates will continue to climb due to inclement weather events, the possibility of privatization, and the increased demand for more energy for data centers.
Tellico Village needs to plan ahead and be better prepared to address this likely financial burden and crisis. Tellico Village already experiences frequent power interruptions and “blinks,” often from storms or grid strain.
Home solar—especially when paired with optional battery storage—can be one sensible option for resolving our future home energy needs.
Why Solar Matters: At its most basic, Solar installation provides homeowners immediate benefits and long-term energy resilience:
- Keep lights, appliances, and medical devices running during outages
- Reduce electric bills and dependence on aging grid infrastructure
- Provide reliable, predictable long‑term energy
- Increase each home’s environmental resilience, safety, and comfort
- Eliminate blackouts and brownouts in peak energy demand seasons
Additionally, communities that enable solar enjoy broad benefits, including:
- Higher property values and faster appreciation
- Lower grid strain and improved community reliability
- Better neighborhood marketability to future homebuyers
- Reduced HOA disputes and liability when clear solar standards are in place
- Alignment with state-level solar-access protections that many HOAs already follow
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