A “Flip the Switch” ceremony was held for the Vanderbilt I Solar Farm on Frank Martin Road Tuesday.

This partnership is the first of its kind under the new TVA Green Invest Program, which matches demand for green power from large business and industrial customers.

“The energy generated goes on to the TVA grid with that energy comes a renewable energy certificate that is required by someone to have who says they’re using green energy,” said Matt Kisber, Board Chairman for Silicon Ranch. “Those certificates will be retired on Vanderbilt’s behalf so it offsets Vanderbilt’s energy consumption.”

Vanderbilt is served by Nashville Electric Service (NES) which is served by TVA. Essentially, Silicon Ranch sells the power to TVA, who in turn works with NES and Vanderbilt.

Last January, the solar farm held a groundbreaking event amid rain and mud. But on the bright, clear Tuesday, visitors could see in full the rows of solar panels soaking up the sun.

With over 150,000 solar modules, Silicon Ranch has invested more than $50 million to install the project which will generate 35 megawatts of energy through the Tennessee Valley Authority. Nashville-based Silicon Ranch is the largest owner and operator of solar facilities in the TVA valley, according to Kisber.

Solar Energy Industries Association (a U.S. trade association) calculates that on average one megawatt of solar power generates enough electricity to meet the needs of 164 U.S. homes. Essentially, what could power 5,740 houses will be going to Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, who attended the event Tuesday, said the solar field will reduce the university’s electrical power use by 70 percent.

Since January, some 250 craft workers were hired for the project, including some recruited from Bedford and the surrounding area.

“We recognize as Bedford County, clearly, renewable energy has got to be a part of the future…This really brought it front and center,” said Bedford Mayor Chad Graham. “They have been tremendous community partners with Shelbyville and Bedford County.”

The Vanderbilt “brand” has also been an integral part of Bedford, according to Graham, because of the hospital on U.S. 231 as well as educational opportunities in high school CTE programs.

Silicon Ranch donated 30 acres of their project site to the 231 Industrial Park, specifically for the Duksan Electera site.

Kisber added that this solar farm, over the years to come, will generate significant new tax revenues that Silicon Ranch will contribute to Bedford County, while requiring little to no county services. He said, “In other words, the taxes generated from this project are entirely accretive to the tax base. The new revenues support infrastructure, local schools, and other community-identified priorities.”

“We will remain invested in and committed to the continued success and economic viability of this region for decades to come,” said Kisber. “We consider it an honor to collaborate with the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership to support this community’s successful efforts.”