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Helping City of Knoxville Expand Solar

April 26th, 2022 | by Anne Brock

Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by Anne Brock

Helping City of Knoxville Expand Solar: Solar on Cal Johnson Recreation Center

 

Knoxville, TN – Knoxville’s City Parks and Recreation Department will soon be able to offset a portion of power that runs Cal Johnson Recreation Center with a planned solar array.  The new 20.5 kilowatt (kW) array to be installed by Solar Alliance Southeast will help the city work toward its goal of improving sustainability throughout the community.

 

City of Knoxville Sustainability Director Brian Blackmon said, “Increasing renewable energy production was a priority of Mayor Kincannon’s Climate Council, and is a core part of my team’s emission reduction strategy.  This turnkey project is a cost-effective way for the City to generate its own carbon-free electricity and reduce our utility costs.  We’re excited to work with the Solar Alliance Southeast team on this project.”

 

SASE has been chosen by the City of Knoxville to design and install a system of 48 photovoltaic modules atop the popular recreation center at 507 Hall of Fame Drive. Cal Johnson Recreation Center houses one of the city’s largest community gymnasiums.  It also includes a large multipurpose room, fitness center and computer access for visitors.  The facility underwent a major renovation in 2020.   

 

Solar Alliance Vice President Solar Harvey Abouelata said, “This is one more example of the City of Knoxville embracing the future. Solar will provide lower power cost and add another layer of resilience in our community. Solar, electric vehicle chargers and electric buses are just the tip of the iceberg of all the positive changes in Knoxville. I am honored to be a part of the team contributing to this evolution.” 

 

Historians have documented Cal Johnson’s life as one of the Southeast’s most successful African- American businessmen.  Johnson once owned multiple businesses in downtown Knoxville.  The City of Knoxville named Cal Johnson Park for him in 1922 and built Cal Johnson Recreation Center in the late 1950s.  

 

www.solaralliance.comprovides skilled East Tennessee jobs while leading the way in commercial and residential installations and related energy monitoring.  The Company is currently collaborating with Knoxville Utilities Board to build the city’s first Community Solar project in 2022.  Solar Alliance Southeast also deploys chargers for homes and businesses in support of electrification and the growing need for electric vehicles. Solar Alliance operates throughout the Southeast with an expanding pipeline of solar projects.   

 

For more information:  ABrock@solaralliance.com  865-221-8349