Maryville receives Municipal League award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation

 By leveraging private and public investment, the city of Maryville has worked with local energy companies and businesses to build a solar farm that will ensure clean energy generation from one of its leading manufacturers and renew commitments from area businesses to the community.  

In recognition of its commitment to fostering development supported by green energy technologies—now and in the future—the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) is proud to honor Maryville for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation.

In August of last year, officials with the city of Maryville joined representatives from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Nashville-based solar company Silicon Ranch, and local manufacturer DENSO to ceremonially “flip the switch” on the first of three major solar energy farms in the area.  

The project was a culmination of a multi-year public-private partnership that created 80 jobs and aligns green energy technology priorities for the city, one of its major employers, and local utilities. Located on DENSO’s campus, the 12.82-acre energy infrastructure project will produce energy for DENSO’s operations and support the local power grid. The site includes more than 4,000 solar panels and is expected to generate approximately 3,400 MWh of energy per year. That’s enough energy to power 187 homes.  

DENSO officials say the project celebrates the company’s 35th anniversary in the community and takes them one step closer to their goal of carbon neutral production by 2035.  

“We appreciate the city of Maryville, Silicon Ranch, and TVA for sharing this commitment with us and look forward to continuing to work together to advance renewable energy in East Tennessee,” said Chuntao Ye, President of DMTN and Business Leader of the DENSO North America Peace of Mind Business Group.  

For Maryville residents, the project will also bring lowered electricity bills and more sustainable energy sources by diversifying the city’s energy portfolio.  

"This solar energy asset is another example of the next-level innovation we’ve come to expect from our community’s largest manufacturer and employer — DENSO,” said Maryville Mayor Andy White. “Our partnership with TVA, DENSO, and Silicon Ranch in this effort highlights our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Providing quality utility infrastructure and affordable service to the residents, businesses, and industries we serve every day remains our top priority."  

A second solar farm has also come online in Maryville in another public-private partnership between the city, Silicon Ranch, and the Chroma Energy Group. This 1.8-megawatt solar array in Maryville was built by 18 local community members and is already feeding into the Maryville Electric Department’s grid, generating savings for the city and residents from its Mint Road location. A third solar farm is in the works, showcasing Maryville’s ongoing commitment to providing clean, efficient, and cost-saving services.   

 A member of the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council since 2008, Maryville has become a model city for showing how promoting renewable energy goes hand-in-hand with economic development.