Origis Energy and Excelsior Energy Capital Break Ground on TVA Green Invest Solar Project
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. and MIAMI, Fla. – July 27, 2022 – The Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”), Origis Energy (“Origis”) and Excelsior Energy Capital (“Excelsior”) announced today that construction has started on the Skyhawk Solar project – a 100-megawatt solar facility in Obion County that will supply carbon-free energy to Google’s hyperscale data centers in Clarksville, Tennessee, and Jackson County, Alabama.
Skyhawk Solar was developed through TVA’s Green Invest, a utility-scale solar solution that offers business and industry an effective, timely, and cost-competitive solar solution to aggressively meet sustainability goals. The program matches customer-driven commitments for renewable energy with new utility-scale solar facilities to be constructed in the Tennessee Valley.
“TVA has the cleanest power system in the southeast and we are helping attract sustainability-focused companies that bring jobs and investments to this region,” said Doug Perry, senior vice president, TVA Commercial Energy Solutions. “We are proud to collaborate with Google, Origis and Excelsior to bring more solar generation on the grid for a greener region.”
Initially announced in November 2020, Skyhawk Solar creates an estimated 300 construction jobs, with additional employment for 8-10 full-time operations and maintenance staff. The solar facility is projected to be operational by the end of 2022. Origis will operate and maintain the facility.
“Skyhawk Solar is generating a waterfall of economic benefits in the Obion County community,” said Johan Vanhee, Origis Energy’s chief commercial and procurement officer. “The net economic benefits include $16.9 million in estimated direct local economic benefits during construction and $30 million estimated over the life of the pr