News

TVA partners with state of Tennessee and others on solar initiative

May 14, 2009 – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has proposed a solar-energy-based economic development program that will involve a partnership effort by the State, TVA, the University of Tennessee, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Called the Volunteer State Solar Initiative, the program will use up to $62.5 million in federal stimulus funds to promote job creation, education, research, and renewable-power production in Tennessee.

The proposed initiative consists of two projects:

• The Tennessee Solar Institute at UT and ORNL, which will focus on basic science and industry partnerships to improve the affordability and efficiency of solar products.
• The West Tennessee Solar Farm, a five-megawatt, 20-acre power generation facility at the Haywood County Megasite that will be one of the largest solar installations in the Southeast.

"TVA is pleased to partner with the state and others on this important initiative," said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. "TVA plans to purchase renewable power supply from the solar farm, leverage economic development opportunities, and also use it to boost the marketing of the Haywood County megasite."

The initiative follows recent announcements by two of the world's largest polysilicon manufacturers that they will locate in Tennessee. Dow Corning-Hemlock Semiconductor and German firm Wacker Chemie AG will build plants to make polysilicon, which is used in making solar panels.

"Our success over the past few months in recruiting solar-industry manufacturers to Tennessee shows we have bright economic prospects for additional job growth in this area,” Bredesen said. “Now, it’s time to build on our strengths and position Tennessee for the next wave of investment in the renewable-energy sector."

Read the State of Tennessee news release.