Tennessee’s largest solar farm is officially open

In Stanton, Tennessee, a significant milestone in solar energy was celebrated with the inauguration of the state’s largest solar power array. The West Tennessee Solar Farm, graced by the presence of DOE Deputy Secretary Poneman, Deputy Governor Ramsey, and University of Tennessee President Dr. DiPietro, officially commenced generating power, witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 200 attendees.

Spanning the Haywood County facility, this impressive solar farm has the capacity to produce 5 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power 500 homes and offset 250 tons of coal each month. Notably, it now stands as the largest solar-energy array connected to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s grid.

Dr. Joe DiPietro, President of the University of Tennessee, expressed his excitement about this development, remarking that the West Tennessee Solar Farm marks a new era in American solar power. He believes that the project’s convergence of economic development, public education, and future research capabilities will solidify Tennessee’s leading role in the fast-growing and high-tech solar sector.

Comprising 21,000 photovoltaic solar panels, spreading across more than 25 acres, the Farm’s generated electricity is being distributed through purchase agreements with Chickasaw Electric Cooperative and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Signal Energy takes credit for the design and construction of this impressive Solar Farm.

Beyond its power-generating capabilities, the Farm has been designed to serve as an educational hub for the public. Plans include establishing a public information center accessible to approximately 10 million motorists driving by the Interstate-40 site annually. Scheduled for completion in late 2013, the center will feature entrance and exit ramps from the interstate, along with an interactive renewable-energy exhibit. Interested individuals will also be able to access information about the energy generated by the solar array on the Solar Farm’s website.

As the proud owner and operator of the Solar Farm, the University of Tennessee sees it as a valuable teaching tool and a proving ground for testing new solar energy technologies on a utility-scale level. Dr. David Millhorn, Executive Vice President of the University, acknowledges the Farm’s potential to be a game-changer in the solar energy field.

With the completion of the West Tennessee Solar Farm, Molly Cripps, Director of ECD Energy Division, expresses her excitement at the realization of this project after years of hard work and planning. She sees it as a symbol of the opportunities the advanced manufacturing and energy technologies sector holds for Tennessee’s future.

The solar-energy industry has been rapidly growing in Tennessee, boasting 180 for-profit companies in its solar value chain, providing employment to over 6,400 people in solar-related industries, and having installed approximately 27 megawatts of solar power. Globally, solar represents a $137 billion market, which experienced over a third of growth in the past year, as per reports from Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

The completion of the West Tennessee Solar Farm was a monumental effort, involving over 100,000 job hours for its design, build, installation, and connection. More than 20 vendors contributed American-made parts and skilled labor to make it a reality.

The Solar Farm is part of the Volunteer State Solar Initiative (VSSI), aimed at bolstering the Tennessee economy by utilizing federal funding to create jobs and support the flourishing solar industry. Under VSSI, the West Tennessee Solar Farm received $31 million in ARRA funds, while the Tennessee Solar Institute was granted $23.5 million to offer incentives to Tennessee businesses for installing next-generation solar energy systems. Additionally, the initiative provides training, technology, and technical assistance to companies in the solar industry value chain, contributing to the installation of over 10 megawatts of renewable energy generating capacity in Tennessee. Beyond promoting clean energy technologies, the VSSI facilitates skill training for Tennesseans and the exchange of “best business practices” in the state’s renewable energy industry.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development plays a crucial role in creating better job opportunities for Tennesseans, attracting corporate investments, and fostering economic growth. The University of Tennessee Research Foundation, as an independent organization, aids in commercializing University of Tennessee technologies and supporting research, entrepreneurship, and economic development across the state. With offices in Knoxville and Memphis, the foundation serves all of UT’s statewide campuses and institutes.