KUB Community Solar, a partnership between KUB, the City of Knoxville, and TVA, provides homeowners, renters, and businesses the opportunity to purchase a share of a 1-megawatt solar array. KUB invested $1.4 million to build the array, which is located on City of Knoxville property just off I-40. Construction on the solar array was completed earlier this year by local solar installer Solar Alliance Southeast, LLC. The array is composed of more than 2,000 individual panels and produces enough energy to power around 100 homes.
"We are excited to provide our community with this simple way to support locally sourced solar power," said Gabriel Bolas, KUB President and CEO. "This opens the door for customers who otherwise would not be able to directly support Knoxville solar power, and I'm proud that we, along with our partners, could make this a reality."
One share of KUB Community Solar costs $5 each month, and customers will receive an average monthly credit of $3.61. Customers may choose to donate their monthly credit to KUB's Project Help emergency heating assistance program. For every share purchased, approximately 640 kwh of solar energy will be generated annually, which helps avoid the same amount of emissions as recycling 314 pounds of waste.
The City of Knoxville was KUB Community Solar's first subscriber, purchasing 529 shares representing 250 kw of solar capacity.
"This project is an exciting collaboration here in Knoxville and a great way for us to achieve the goals of my Climate Council," said Mayor Indya Kincannon. "I'm proud to be able to create new opportunities to support carbon-free energy in Knoxville with great partners at our side."
KUB Community Solar builds upon KUB's long-standing commitment to renewable energy and environmental stewardship. This project is one of the many ways KUB has partnered with TVA to provide renewable energy solutions for our customers.
"Community solar projects like this demonstrate what is possible when we come together with a shared vision to use low cost, clean, reliable, renewable energy to drive investments into the communities we serve," said Chris Hansen, Vice President, TVA Origination & Renewables. "Together with partners like KUB, we are building the nation's most advanced energy system to help us meet our decarbonization goals."
KUB residential customers may sign up now to purchase one or more shares of KUB Community Solar online at www.kub.org/communitysolar. Commercial customers may purchase shares beginning June 1, 2023. Shares are available until all 2,115 available shares have been purchased.
KUB is a municipal utility serving Knox and parts of seven adjacent counties with safe and reliable electric, fiber, natural gas, water, and wastewater services to more than 478,000 customers.
