Tennessee has cut the
ribbon on the state’s largest solar power array. DOE Deputy Secretary Poneman,
Deputy Governor Ramsey and University of Tennessee President Dr. DiPietro
joined a crowd of almost 200 to celebrate the opening of the West Tennessee
Solar Farm in Stanton, Tenn. The Farm officially began generating power Thursday,
April 12, 2012.
 |
| Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith speaks at the official opening of the West Tennessee Solar Farm located in Stanton, Tenn. |
The Haywood County facility is capable of
generating 5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 500 homes and offset 250
tons of coal each month. That makes it the largest solar-energy array connected
to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s grid.
“The West Tennessee Solar Farm opens a new
chapter in the history of American solar power, tying together economic
development, public education, and future research capabilities that will
cement Tennessee’s leading role in this fast-growing, high-tech sector,” said
Dr. Joe DiPietro, president of the University of Tennessee.
The Farm features 21,000 photovoltaic solar
panels spread across more than 25 acres. The generated electricity is being
distributed through purchase agreements with Chickasaw Electric Cooperative and
Tennessee Valley Authority. Signal Energy designed and built the Solar
Farm.
“The University of Tennessee owns and operates
the Solar Farm, and looks forward to using it as a great teaching tool,” said
Dr. David Millhorn, executive vice president of the University of Tennessee. “
It’s exciting that the Farm will serve as a proving ground for the generation
of new solar energy technologies. A utility-scale test site is a game changer
in the solar energy field.”
“We are excited the West Tennessee Solar Farm
has become a reality after years of hard work and planning,” Molly Cripps,
director, ECD Energy Division said. “The Solar Farm will serve as a visible reminder
of the possibilities the advanced manufacturing and energy technologies sector
hold for Tennessee.”
More than 100,000 job hours were worked during
design, build, installation and connection of the West Tennessee Solar Farm. In
excess of 20 vendors supplied American-made parts and skilled labor.
“Signal Energy’s work as the design/build firm
on the West Tennessee Solar Farm underscores our commitment to help
institutions like the University of Tennessee and the State of Tennessee bring
large-scale, innovative renewable energy projects to market and employ a
skilled workforce to build our nation’s clean energy future,” said Ben Fischer,
president of Signal Energy a leading design/build firm for the North American
renewable energy industry.
