TVA Greenlights Massive Solar Farm: 200 MW of Sunshine Power in Alabama
Published Date: 4/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is moving forward with a big solar project in Colbert County, Alabama, to help meet growing energy needs. They’ll buy power from a new 200-megawatt solar farm covering 740 acres, plus build a substation and upgrade power lines to connect it to the grid. This clean energy boost supports local communities and fits TVA’s plan to provide reliable, greener electricity without using taxpayer money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
TVA signs 20-year PPA for 200‑MW solar
TVA will execute a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Spring Valley Solar to buy power from an approximately 200-megawatt (MW) AC solar photovoltaic facility that would occupy about 740 acres in Colbert County, Alabama, and Spring Valley Solar would build an onsite 161-kV substation and transmission line upgrades to interconnect to TVA's grid.
Minor local economic benefits and jobs
The Final EIS finds the Proposed Action would have minor beneficial impacts to socioeconomics, and TVA provides economic development and job creation assistance within the TVA Power Service Area in connection with projects like this.
Visual screening and setback protections
Spring Valley Solar and TVA will maintain a minimum 50-foot setback along property lines and a 30-foot-wide vegetated buffer (native, non-invasive species) around the perimeter of the solar facility and install visual screening (including green mesh on fences) to reduce visual impacts for adjacent roadways, surrounding properties, and the Belle Mont Mansion.
Historic properties will be avoided and preserved
TVA consulted with the Alabama Historical Commission, Tribes, and other parties and will update the National Register nomination for the Belle Mont Mansion, maintain vegetative screening, implement avoidance buffers for archaeological sites, and otherwise take measures so the Project will have no adverse effect on historic properties.
Minimal impacts to listed species and groundwater
TVA concluded the Proposed Action is not likely to adversely affect federally- or state-listed species and would have no direct adverse impacts to groundwater, with potential minor to moderate impacts addressed through avoidance, mitigation, and best management practices.
Project financed without taxpayer funding
TVA states it receives no taxpayer funding, derives virtually all revenues from electricity sales, and the Spring Valley II Solar Project fits TVA's plan to provide greener electricity without using taxpayer money.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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