CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – More than a year after two solar farms began operating in Clarksville, CDE Lightband officials say the projects are meeting expectations: providing clean energy for nearly 1,000 homes while reducing carbon emissions and keeping costs stable for residents.
In the past 12 months, the two solar arrays have generated about 14 gigawatt hours of energy, according to CDE Lightband. That’s enough to power 991 Clarksville homes for an entire year, or, as CDE noted, “about 1 billion LED Christmas lights for the whole month of December.”
Video by Wesley Irvin/Clarksville Now
The two solar farms are located on Rossview Road near the city’s under-construction athletic complex and on Wedgwood Drive between Madison Street and the Red River. They were built through a partnership between CDE Lightband, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Silicon Ranch.
Reducing emissions, improving air quality
CDE Lightband estimates that power from the solar farms has offset over 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the past year – the equivalent of removing 900 cars from the road.
“It’s making a significant and positive impact on air quality,” said Brian Taylor, general manager of CDE Lightband. “By effectively removing harmful pollution from the atmosphere, we’re helping to ensure a cleaner future for Clarksville.”
Clean solar energy without raising costs
Taylor said the most measurable benefit to residents is stable, risk-free energy pricing. “Our primary goal was to integrate clean energy without increasing retail electric rates, and we’ve achieved that,” he said.
The power generated by the solar farms is bought at a lower cost than what CDE pays TVA, which helps offset costs and diversify the city’s energy supply. The project also complements the 70% carbon-free power CDE already purchases from TVA.
“This arrangement ensures our customers benefit from renewable energy while being protected from any financial risk associated with the project,” Taylor added.
Community response to solar farms
Public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Taylor. “Customers have personally reached out to thank us for being forward-thinking and prioritizing future generations.”
Beyond prioritizing clean power, the sites have become an educational resource for local schools. CDE has hosted several field trips and externships, allowing students and teachers to see how renewable energy is produced.
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Residents have also praised the project’s eco-friendly maintenance approach: The grounds are kept tidy by sheep grazing, which helps control grass naturally without machinery.
What’s ahead for solar energy in Clarksville
While the farms’ combined output of 14 gigawatt hours fell just shy of early projections of 15.2 due to weather variations, CDE officials say the results are right on target, and more projects could be on the way. “We are actively looking for ways to fully utilize the flexibility program provided to us by TVA,” Taylor said. “This is a key priority for us, and we hope to make an announcement regarding our next steps in clean energy in the near future.”
Taylor said the success of the projects positions Clarksville as a statewide leader in renewable energy. “These solar farms establish CDE Lightband as a leader within TVA’s flexibility program,” he said. “As a demand for reliable electricity continues to grow, our goal is to remain innovative, bringing the most reliable, affordable and clean power to our customers.”
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