Community “Flips the Switch” for New Bolivar Solar Farm
Silicon Ranch, one of the nation’s largest independent power producers and a community-focused renewable energy company, along with Bolivar Energy Authority (BEA), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and members of the community joined together to flip the switch on the new 3.25-megawatt Bolivar Solar Farm in Hardeman County on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
The Flip the Switch event celebrated the completion of construction for the solar facility, which is now officially supplying power to the electric grid.
The solar facility, which is located on Mecklinburg Drive, is expected to provide enough low-cost solar energy to power more than 500 homes and help keep rates low for BEA’s more than 11,000 customers.
BEA is one of the first local power companies (LPCs) to execute a deal with TVA under TVA’s new program offering LPCs the flexibility to meet a portion of their power needs with local generating sources.
“As a public power utility in the fifth largest county in Tennessee, BEA is extremely pleased to offer our community a low-cost, reliable energy solution from trusted local partners,” said Tony Kirk, BEA President and CEO. “TVA is enabling us and LPCs across the Valley to do just that through its generation flexibility program, by providing our community with the opportunity to partner with dependable, renewable energy providers like Silicon Ranch to procure local energy solutions. We are looking forward to continuing our long-term relationship with Silicon Ranch, as the company will own and operate the Bolivar Solar Farm for the entire lifetime of the project.”
The Bolivar Solar Farm was supported by the USDA through its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) initiative, which provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to support agricultural producers and rural small businesses with renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.
Read more local news by clicking here.
Stay informed on what’s happening in Hardeman County by subscribing to Hatchie Press e-mail updates.
Do you have community news you’d like to share? E-mail us at news@hatchiepress.com.
