TVA energizes Moore County solar farm substation

Now connected to the grid, Silicon Ranch is reducing its construction workforce. Two local obligations remain unfinished.

7:00 a.m. Oct. 7, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

TVA has energized the substation serving Silicon Ranch's 200-megawatt Moore County solar farm, clearing the way for testing as construction begins winding down.

The update came Tuesday, Oct. 6, during the Moore County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Chairman Dexter Golden read an email from Silicon Ranch project manager Bryan Runion outlining the project's progress and work that remains.

According to Runion, the Tennessee Valley Authority successfully energized the substation in September, and Silicon Ranch has begun commissioning activities at the site. That testing will continue into spring 2027.

The milestone brings the project closer to commercial operation, although the company has not announced when the solar farm will begin delivering power on a regular basis.

What energizing the substation means

The substation connects the solar farm to TVA's regional electrical grid. Electricity generated by the panels must first be converted from direct current to alternating current and brought to the proper voltage before it can enter the transmission system.

Energizing the substation means that connection is now live, allowing Silicon Ranch to begin testing the equipment that will eventually move electricity from the solar farm onto the grid.

The process, known as commissioning, includes checking electrical systems, verifying equipment performance, and making sure the facility operates safely.

The project is part of TVA's Green Invest program and includes an agreement supporting Jack Daniel Distillery's renewable-energy goals. Under that arrangement, 20 megawatts of the facility's capacity are allocated to the distillery, an amount projected to offset roughly three-quarters of its electricity consumption.

Construction crews beginning to leave

Runion's email also indicated that the busiest stretch of construction is coming to an end.

Installation of the solar panels is nearly complete, and the number of workers onsite is beginning to drop significantly. Runion did not provide a date for when the remaining construction crews would leave.

Work also remains beyond the solar panels, including landscaping and repairs to county roads used during construction.

Vegetation buffer still on the to-do list

Silicon Ranch is working with its landscaping vendor to finalize a proposal for the vegetation buffer around the facility.

The plantings are intended to help screen portions of the solar farm from nearby properties and public roads, an issue that has drawn attention during the project's development and construction.

Runion said the company expected to have a timeline available this week and would keep county officials informed. Golden did not have a planting schedule to share Tuesday.

County turns attention to road repairs

As construction winds down, county officials are also looking toward repairs on roads used by contractors hauling equipment and materials to the solar site.

Golden raised the issue with Highway Department Superintendent Shannon Cauble during the meeting.

"When this is all said and done, we need to be on them next about making sure the roads are put back as they were, correct?" Golden asked.

"Yes, our contract should cover that," Cauble replied.

The county's contract with Silicon Ranch requires the company to restore roads damaged during construction. Cauble said crews are patching roads as required, but no schedule has been announced for final restoration.

Golden said he'll contact Runion to find out when that work will begin. He's also awaiting a planting schedule for the vegetation buffer.