Area businessman goes ‘green’ through Pellissippi State
Douglas Benton is a true entrepreneur.
The Alcoa businessman already is involved in several money-making ventures, and now he is looking to a series of courses offered by Pellissippi State to help take his business in yet another new direction.
Benton and his wife, Trysh Benton, own Wheels for Tomorrow, a scooter and bicycle business. He says his latest vision for the business came when a friend lent him the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car.”
“I watched it,” he said, “and I became ‘green’ with anger and decided to join the green movement. I’m getting rid of all the gas-powered scooters and will sell only battery-powered scooters.
“Then, I had this thought, ‘Why couldn’t every house in the county have solar and wind power?’”
So he signed up for Photovoltaic System Design and Installation, one of 16 new “green” non-credit courses offered online through Business and Community Services Division.
“I want to be an NABCEP [North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners] certified solar panel designer and installer—the only one in the Knoxville area and only the third in the entire state.”
Benton believes he can provide a money-saving service, especially to area businesses.
“Right now, residents only get a 30 percent tax credit for installing solar panels,” he said. “But here in Tennessee, a commercial builder can get 40 percent and up to a $75,000 grant that they don’t have to pay back. A lot of companies here in East Tennessee don’t know that.”
Benton is six weeks into the 16-week, $795 course. There’s a new lesson available each week, and he’s learning just what he needs to know to achieve his latest goal.
“I’ve got a 94 average on my quizzes,” he said, “and I’m very happy with the class.”
Benton also has become a distributor for wind turbines—small windmills designed for residential rooftops. The windmills can save homeowners money on their utility bills by helping generate power.
“In this economy, I believe it’s important to diversify,” he said.
The College offers 15 other green courses (most of which are self-paced so they can be completed ahead of schedule), including Home Energy Analyst, Green Building Sales Professional and Carbon Strategies.
For more information about the classes, contact Brad Coburn, director of BCS’ Industrial and Contract Training, at 694-6666.
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