Solar Energy in Knoxville

About Solar Technology

Solar technologies transforms the sun’s energy into usable energy, providing electricity and heat for homes, businesses, and industry. It's a very powerful resource with a lot of potential - more energy from the sun hits the earth in one hour than is used by everyone in the world in one year. 

Using solar power has multiple benefits, including reduced utility expenses and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. But how does the technology work? Learn more here.

Solar in Knoxville

The City’s solar journey began in 2008, when the U.S. Department of Energy selected Knoxville as one of 25 Solar America Cities and provided funding to accelerate the adoption of solar energy. Learn more about our Solar America Cities program here.

The City of Knoxville currently owns five solar arrays, capable of producing around 200 kilowatts (kW) of electricity in total:

• Convention Center: 121.4 kW
• Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park: 50 kW
• Civic Coliseum Parking Garage: 14.4 kW
• Market Square Garage: 8.64 kW
• KTA Transit Center: 5 kW

These five arrays are capable of producing around 200 kilowatts (kW) of electricity in total, enough to supply electricity to 22 average-sized Knoxville homes each year! These arrays provide renewable power to some of the City’s facilities, saving money on utilities and reducing our carbon footprint. 

Individuals and organizations in the area also contribute to solar energy production across the city, including:

• Knoxville Zoo: 50 kW
• Three Rivers Market: 49.9 kW 
• Ijams Nature Center: 19 kW 
• Mellow Mushroom: 8 kW

“Go Solar”: Switch to Solar Energy

Individuals and organizations have plenty of ways to benefit from solar energy, like installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system to power buildings or a solar thermal system to heat water. Learn how to ‘go solar’ here.

Why go solar?

• Protect from Increasing Electricity Rates. Switching to solar power means you can generate your own power for free for decades, protecting you from unpredictable changes in energy prices.
• Protect the Environment. Most electricity is generated by burning coal, which emits pollutants and greenhouse gases that have serious consequences for the environment and climate. Solar electricity comes from a clean and renewable source (the sun) and doesn’t emit greenhouse gases or create air pollution.
• Keep Yourself Safe. Solar technologies can be particularly handy in emergency situations, allowing critical equipment like traffic signals and emergency lights to keep working even when the grid goes out during a storm or hazard.
• Increase Property Value. Installing solar technologies is a smart upgrade that makes your home more desirable and valuable by reducing the annual operating costs and increasing home equity. In fact, 2015 studies show that home buyers across the country are willing to pay about $15,000 for a home with an average-sized solar array.
• Promote Local Economy. Solar energy is domestic and local, so installing a solar system means you are creating local job opportunities and contributing to the local economy.

Even if you can’t switch to solar power, there are plenty of ways to support clean energy in Knoxville. Our electric utility, Knoxville Utility Board, offers several programs for residential and business customers to power their homes and businesses through renewable energy. Learn more at https://www.kub.org/about/environment/green-power/.