About the Solar Farm
More than 25 acres contain a solar array of approximately 21,000 fixed-tilt, ground-mounted photovoltaic solar panels. Electricity generated is distributed through purchase agreements with local utility Chickasaw Electric Cooperative and Tennessee Valley Authority.
The West Tennessee Solar Farm and the Tennessee Solar Institute were made possible by a $62.5-million allocation of federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in 2009. The Volunteer State Solar Initiative is a comprehensive solar energy and economic development program focused on job creation, education, renewable power production and technology commercialization.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development contracted with UT to oversee the creation and operation of the Solar Farm. Through the UT Research Foundation, the university is responsible for installation and operation of the power-generation facility. Signal Energy, LLC of Chattanooga, Tennessee designed and built the Solar Farm array in 2011, with connection to the electrical grid in early 2012.
SPECTRUM: The West Tennessee Solar Farm Exhibit
How to Begin
You will be able to start your SPECTRUM experience anywhere in the exhibit, but if you want to become a real solar genius, you may want to start in the center at the Illumination Station!
What You’ll See and Do
There are big things happening in advanced energy, particularly solar power. As you walk through SPECTRUM, you’ll see how we got here, what’s new, and where solar power is going in Tennessee. Additionally, you’ll play games to understand the basics of solar energy.
What You’ll Learn
Tennessee solar power has something for everyone, and SPECTRUM is where you can get connected. As you experience SPECTRUM, you may find ways to make your home more energy efficient. Home and business owners will see ideas for bringing down electric costs with their own solar panels. Students may find an idea for a science-fair project or learn which area of science to study to be a part of the future of solar. Throughout SPECTRUM you’ll see links/QR codes to more information about all of these bright ideas and more.
The West Tennessee Solar Farm SPECTRUM exhibit partners include:
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- West Tennessee Solar Farm
- University of Tennessee
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Perkins + Will
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Xibitz
The West Tennessee Solar Farm and the SPECTRUM Educational Exhibit Partners and Providers
- Aries Solar
- Delta Heritage Center
- Eaton
- Chickasaw Electric Cooperative
- Haywood County
- Lightwave Solar
- Lone Oaks Farm
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Perkins+Will
- Piper Communications
- Signal Energy
- Silicon Ranch
- StrataG
- Suniva (solar panels)
- Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council
- Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
- Tennessee Department of Transportation
- Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Tickle College of Engineering (UT Knoxville)
- U.S. Department of Energy
- University of Tennessee (UT System)
- UT Chattanooga
- UT Extension
- UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA)
- UT Knoxville
- UT Martin
- UT Research Foundation
- Volkswagen
- Xibitz