Construction of latest project under TVA Generation Flexibility Program kicks off today; The project’s development will be partly funded by an investment from Rivian
PURYEAR, Tenn., April 26, 2022 — Paris Board of Public Utilities (Paris BPU), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Silicon Ranch, along with local officials from Henry County, held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new solar facility today in Puryear, Tennessee. The 80-acre solar facility will generate 6.75 megawatt (MWAC), enough energy to power approximately 1,000 homes annually.
The Paris Solar Farm – Puryear is expected to begin delivering energy to the Paris BPU electric grid in December 2022. The facility is part of TVA’s Generation Flexibility Program, which is designed to encourage local power companies (LPCs) to develop distributed generation facilities and provide local solutions to the renewable needs of customers, while also improving the carbon position of the region. Through Generation Flexibility, TVA enables local power companies to generate up to 5% of their total energy load to meet the renewable energy goals of their customers, attract sustainability-focused businesses to their communities, and solve individual challenges for their customers or distribution systems. Because economic development is an important part of Paris BPU’s mission, flexible solutions like the one offered by TVA add another tool to the toolbox in the company’s conversations with industry partners.
“We’re pleased to work with Silicon Ranch, which has a trusted track record as a positive contributor to communities as a neighbor, landowner, and solar developer,” said Terry Wimberley, President and CEO of Paris BPU. “TVA’s Generation Flexibility Program gives the people of Henry County the safe, reliable, affordable energy they’ve come to expect. This inaugural local project also helps to ensure Tennessee’s energy mix becomes more sustainable without compromising energy independence over the long term.”
The Paris Solar Farm – Puryear will generate clean, renewable energy at a cost-effective, stable price for both Paris BPU and its customers across its service territory.
“Silicon Ranch takes great pride in our Tennessee roots and in our role as a trusted local partner to help TVA and LPCs deliver value to the customers and communities they serve,” said Reagan Farr, Silicon Ranch Co-Founder and CEO. “We applaud TVA for its vision to provide LPCs with generation flexibility, and we’re honored to work with Paris BPU to deliver low-cost, locally sourced solar power to meet customer needs and recruit new business for years to come.”
Nashville-based Silicon Ranch, which is funding the project, expects to invest upwards of $7 million to construct the facility. Construction of the solar facility will create approximately 150 craft labor jobs, with preference given to the local labor pool and the military veteran community.
“The Paris Solar Farm – Puryear represents a commitment to clean energy investment and carbon reduction in the region,” said Chris Hansen, TVA Vice President Origination and Renewable Solutions. “This partnership with Paris BPU and Silicon Ranch will help make the Tennessee Valley an even better place to live and do business.”
Through a partnership with Clearloop, which has been acquired by Silicon Ranch, Rivian Automotive provided upfront capital to help enable the installation. That investment provides one megawatt of additional solar, which will generate electricity to cover Rivian’s planned Tennessee State Park charging stations and other clean energy commitments in the region.
Silicon Ranch will own, operate, and maintain the facility, a disciplined and differentiated approach the company takes with every project it develops, resulting in hundreds of thousands of tax dollars that will be invested back into the Henry County community, supporting the local school system and government services. Additionally, Silicon Ranch plans to support educational outreach opportunities to help teach students about how the Paris Solar Farm – Puryear and similar projects are advancing the energy transition across the Tennessee Valley.
About Paris BPU
Established in 1938, Paris BPU is a municipal utility that provides electric, water and wastewater services to residents of Paris and Henry County as a means of promoting economic development and enhancing quality of life in the community. Serving over 21,000 homes and businesses, Paris BPU strives to provide reliable, safe and affordable services to our community.
About Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power distributors serving nearly 10 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.
About Silicon Ranch Corporation
Founded in 2011, Silicon Ranch is a fully integrated provider of customized renewable energy, carbon, and battery storage solutions for a diverse set of partners across North America. The company is one of the largest independent power producers in the country, with a portfolio that includes more than four gigawatts of solar and battery storage systems that are contracted, under construction, or operating across the U.S. and Canada. Silicon Ranch owns and operates every project in its portfolio and has maintained an unblemished track record of project execution, having successfully commissioned every project it has contracted in its history. In recognition of its holistic approach to land management, which the company has trademarked Regenerative Energy®, Silicon Ranch was named 2020’s “Most Forward-Thinking” company by Solar Power World. In 2021, Silicon Ranch acquired Clearloop, which helps businesses of all sizes reclaim their carbon footprint with a direct investment in building new solar projects while expanding access to clean energy. To learn more, visit siliconranch.com, regenerativeenergy.org, and clearloop.us. Follow Silicon Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
About Rivian
Rivian exists to create products and services that help our planet transition to carbon neutral energy and transportation. Rivian designs, develops, and manufactures category-defining electric vehicles and accessories and sells them directly to customers in the consumer and commercial markets. Rivian complements its vehicles with a full suite of proprietary, value-added services that address the entire lifecycle of the vehicle and deepen its customer relationships. Learn more about the company, products, and careers at rivian.com.
Media:
Silicon Ranch Corporation
Katie Jacobs/Quarter Horse PR
katie@qh-pr.com
(847) 715-8624
Paris BPU
Terry Wimberley
tgwimberley@parisbpu.org
(731) 642-1322 ext. 149
TVA
Scott Fielder
safiedler@tva.gov
(423) 751-7883