Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Nashville-based Silicon Ranch, one of the nation’s largest independent power producers and a community-focused renewable energy company, and Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), the largest electric cooperative in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region and the second largest in the United States, have announced a landmark solar agreement under TVA’s newly expanded Generation Flexibility Program.

According to the announcement, the two Middle Tennessee businesses have agreed to partner on the 110-megawatt (MW_AC) Copeland Solar Farm, which will be the largest solar facility to serve a local power company (LPC) directly in the Tennessee Valley. On behalf of MTE, Silicon Ranch will fund, construct, own, operate and maintain the 110 MW_AC Copeland Solar Farm in Cumberland County. Once construction is completed in late 2027, MTE will receive the power and environmental attributes generated by the facility — realizing savings on day one of operation — to benefit the more than 750,000 Tennesseans the cooperative serves across 11 counties.

As both the landowner and operator, Silicon Ranch will remain invested in and committed to the continued success and economic viability of Cumberland County and the surrounding community for decades to come. Silicon Ranch is making a significant investment to install the Copeland Solar Farm, and over time, the project will generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue for Cumberland County to support local infrastructure and schools, among other community-identified priorities.

“Because we are owned by the members we serve, MTE is constantly seeking new ways to deliver value and to meet their evolving needs and expectations,” said Chris Jones, President and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric. “As part of this effort, our team worked closely with TVA to update the Generation Flexibility Program, and we thank TVA for its collaborative spirit to make this project and this partnership with Silicon Ranch a reality. MTE is pleased and grateful to partner with Silicon Ranch, a trusted local provider that is the recognized leader in providing solar power to electric cooperatives not just for the Tennessee Valley, but across this country.”

“At Silicon Ranch, our number one priority is to support stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities through the work that we do, and this mission aligns perfectly with the ethos of America’s electric cooperatives,” said Matt Kisber, Co-Founder and Chairman of Silicon Ranch. “Silicon Ranch is thrilled to expand this important work with MTE, the region’s largest co-op and an innovative utility that embraces its leadership role to drive the Tennessee Valley forward. We are pleased to have this opportunity to deliver more positive impacts at scale right here at home, and we thank Cumberland County for welcoming us as its newest corporate citizen.”

---