Solar panel farm opens in Knoxville
Thursday July 15, 2010
Knox County Detention Center opened one of the nation's largest solar panel farms...
Knox County officials opened one of the nation's largest solar panel farms today.
The solar panel farm, a $1.88 million project funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and the Conservation Block Grant Program, contains 300 solar collectors.
The farm is located at the Knox County Detention Center. The switch from gas to solar energy will save the county $60,000 per year in natural gas expenses and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 174 tons.
The solar panel installation is part of a $16.2 million project to "address aging infrastructure and high energy and operating costs," according to the Knox County press release.
"This may not be one of the most glamorous things you've ever seen, but I'm not sure that we're doing a whole lot more important things for our community than working with the Knox County green team," Mayor Mike Ragsdale said during opening ceremonies.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
