TVA Awards 16.7 Megawatts of Solar Capacity through Distributed Solar Solutions

KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Valley Authority, in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, announced it is awarding 16.7 megawatts of carbon-free, solar capacity to four local power companies who applied through the Distributed Solar Solutions pilot. Once completed, projects will generate enough solar energy to power more than 1,300 homes.

“Distributed Solar Solutions is an important Valley solar initiative. It brings our LPCs and solar developers together to generate clean energy in a thoughtful and collaborative manner that best serves the region’s 9 million consumers,” said Cindy Herron, TVA’s vice president of EnergyRight Solutions.

In January 2016, TVA and TVPPA rolled out the community-focused DSS pilot. LPCs, in partnership with developers, began submitting their applications for solar projects that ranged from 1 megawatt to 5 megawatts. TVA reviewed 11 proposals and is awarding a total of 16.7 megawatts in the following LPC service areas:

• Chickasaw Electric Cooperative
• East Mississippi Electric Power Association
• Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation
• Johnson City Power Board

“TVA remains committed to providing clean, efficient renewable energy to reduce our carbon footprint and help protect the environment,” said Herron. “We are pleased with the level of interest in this first DSS response.”

Today, electricity in the Tennessee Valley is being produced at more than 2,600 renewable energy locations that include solar, wind, low-impact hydro and biogas. TVA currently has more than 400 megawatts of renewable solar power under contract, that could supply enough electricity to power more than 216,000 homes.

TVA’s renewable energy programs reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to a diversified, cleaner energy mix that best serves the power needs of businesses and residents of the Tennessee Valley.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power distributors serving more than 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.