CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – CDE Lightband, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Silicon Ranch joined local officials for a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday for two new solar projects in Clarksville.
The ceremony was on Rossview Road at the site of the under-construction city athletic complex. The second will be built on Wedgwood Drive, between the Madison Street Publix and the Red River.
According to the City of Clarksville, the two solar projects together will provide 6.75 megawatts – a little over 15 million kilowatt hours – which is enough to power around 1,080 average-sized homes’ entire energy usage for a year.
Matt Kisber, chairman of the board for Silicon Ranch, said CDE Lightband signed a long-term partnership agreement with TVA to procure up to 5% of their energy load from local sources. This includes the solar projects.
CDE then came to terms with Silicon Ranch to utilize their power generated and the 5% procurement.
Silicon Ranch then came to terms to sell the power generated in Clarksville to CDE Lightband.
“As a result, we’re able to sell them power at a very attractive price,” Kisber said. “Solar is the lowest cost of new energy generation. And it also provides tax revenues to the local community, because we pay taxes on the real estate, as well as the personal property, equipment, located here.
“We don’t have any burden on local government services, so it’s totally accretive to the local community. In addition, it’s a great economic development tool that the community can use as they are recruiting new industries or the expansion of existing industries. So many companies today want to know they’re locating where the energy is being generated from clean, renewable sources.”
Mayor Joe Pitts said this is a signature project for the city, and it puts Clarksville on the map as far as solar energy goes. Pitts said Silicon Ranch is the perfect partner, and CDE Lightband continues to impress.
Brian Taylor, general manager of CDE Lightband, said this opportunity is their way of bringing in green, renewable, carbon-free electricity to the city of Clarksville. Taylor said these two solar projects will help them meet several sustainability goals as they continue to think about future generations.
Construction should conclude at the beginning of next year.
Correction: CDE was the company that signed a long-term partnership agreement with the TVA.