Federal funds to establish a Tennessee Solar Institute may have arrived last fall, but officials in state government and at the University of Tennessee still are finalizing details that will allow the new program to get down to business.

The institute, funded with $29.2 million via the American Recovery Act, will distribute grants to businesses for solar installations and related efficiency, education, work force training and technical assistance projects.

A contract transferring funds from the state to the university has been approved by the state assembly's Fiscal Review Committee and signed by UT and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, recipient of the stimulus funds.

"The contract is in the final stages of review and approval, and we expect to have a fully executed contract in the coming weeks, if not sooner," said Laura Elkins of Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development.

Read the full column by Larisa Brass at the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Exchange information, ideas and business cards as well as celebrate Earth Day at a special A.M. Exchange on April 19.

The $10,000 winner of the Greater Knoxville Business Journal's Business in the Green will be revealed, and the program's sponsors -- Energy Efficient of Tennessee, KUB and Thermocopy -- will provide information on how you can make your business more environment friendly and energy efficient.

The event will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Monday, April 19 at the Knoxville News Sentinel.

To register, visit events.knoxvillechamber.com/, or call 865-246-2622.

Businesses are invited to showcase their products and services at the Going Green Expo at Walters State's Morristown campus on April 15 services.

Registration is required, but space is free. For more information, contact Connie O'Vercum, director at 423-318-2341 or email.

The expo will be held from11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on April 15 in the "Z" Buda Assembly Hall and Gymnasium.

Knoxville marketing/communications firm Pyxl provides a case study on how a tenant can make a huge impact on greening its environment.

"From our paperless business practices, to the low VOC paint on the walls, to the furniture made from reclaimed and sustainable hardwoods, soy-based fabrics and organic materials, we wanted to do everything possible to make our office 'green'," says Nicole VanScoten.

The company, which moved into its Northshore Town Center office in January and hosted an open house in late March, also emphasized that the eco-friendly elements were purchased from Knoxville area vendors.

For more details, photos and video of the project check out Pyxl's blog.

-- Greater Knoxville Business Journal staff

Think there's too much paperwork in the health-care system?

Look no further than Blount County for the proof, as a physicians group's efforts to go green meant recycling 31.4 tons of recyclable paper, the equivalent to 6.3 million sheets of paper, in 2009.

East Tennessee Medical Group, in a news release, said the paper, 409 cubic yards of cardboard, as well as 7,020 gallons of aluminum and no. 2 plastic would have filled 53 dump trucks.

The physician group uses Smith and Hammaker and SPECTRA to assist in its recycling goals.

East Tennessee Medical Group is a 48-provider multi-specialty medical group in Alcoa.

-- Greater Knoxville Business Journal staff