KUB and its partners are introducing a new way to support solar power to the Knoxville-area community. 

KUB Community Solar, a partnership between KUB, the City of Knoxville, and TVA, will provide homeowners, renters, and businesses the opportunity to subscribe to a portion of a 1 megawatt solar array. KUB invested $1.4 million to build the array, which will be placed on City of Knoxville property just off I-40.  
 
“KUB Community Solar is the first of its kind for Knoxville, and we are honored to bring this option for locally generated solar energy to our community,” said Gabriel Bolas, KUB President and CEO. “KUB, along with our project partners, has been working hard to make this project a reality, and I am excited to kick off construction.” 
 
The solar array will generate 1.36 gigawatt hours of solar power annually, avoiding approximately 964 metric tons of CO2e emissions. That amount is equal to saving more than 100,000 gallons of gasoline.  
 
“Creating local projects like this community solar array was a priority for the members of my Climate Council to meet our greenhouse emissions goals,” said Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. “I’m happy we could partner with the KUB team to make this a reality, and we look forward to subscribing to support it.” 
 
Solar Alliance Southeast, LLC is constructing the array. Once construction is complete, and the program launches later this year, customers can subscribe for a monthly fee. In exchange, customers will receive a financial credit for the amount of renewable energy produced by their share(s) of the solar panels. This provides a solution for many customers interested in solar.  
 
“In some cases, we see a community member that wants to support solar energy, but their home is just not in the right orientation or the property is shaded,” Solar Alliance Vice President Harvey Abouelata said. “What KUB is offering with community solar is a solution to that, as well as a solution for renters.” 
 
KUB Community Solar builds upon KUB’s long-standing commitment to renewable energy and environmental stewardship. In 2021, KUB announced a solar investment made through TVA’s Green Invest program that will result in 20% of KUB’s energy to come from solar by 2024. 
 
“Renewable energy is deeply rooted in TVA's culture, and is a vital element as we deliver innovative solutions that transform our seven-state region and beyond,” said Don Moul, TVA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This community solar facility demonstrates the strength of the Valley’s community energy model, as we work with KUB and the City of Knoxville, to build a greener future that leaves no one behind in the new clean energy economy.” 
 
For more information about KUB Community Solar or to complete an interest survey, visit https://www.kub.org/kub-community-solar/