Solar Solutions Now More Accessible than Ever with Seven States Power
January 11, 2021

What began with a request to help Knoxville Utilities Board evaluate renewable energy sources in their operations has quickly become one of our most in-demand services. Offering a full-range of solar consulting services, Seven States Power provides local power companies (LPCs) with the necessary expertise to navigate the entire process of developing a solar project, from evaluation to execution. Access to this kind of knowledge and experience can be especially valuable to LPCs that do not have the staff or resources to pursue solar on their own.

“We know there are many LPCs who haven’t explored their options with solar generation yet because they’re not sure where to start,” says Steve Noe, Director of Strategic Energy Solutions for Seven States Power. “But we believe the benefits of solar energy are available to everyone and we can offer the right guidance and support for helping LPCs determine the best, most cost-efficient way to access those benefits.”

An aerial view of a row of solar panels in a field.From evaluating its feasibility and conducting the RFP to driving it all the way to construction and full operation, Seven States Power has the ability to offer turnkey solar solutions for LPCs throughout the Tennessee Valley, but can also consult on any single aspect of a project as needed by an LPC. Our team can even help LPCs identify and evaluate developers to partner with under a Power Purchase Arrangement (PPA).

 

In addition to providing expert technical guidance to LPCs exploring solar generation, we now have an exclusive agreement with Chris Mitchell Consultants to work with member LPCs on rate analysis. Using interval data, Mitchell can help LPCs determine the value of a solar project and which type of project– from a PPA to a self-owned array provides the most cost-effective benefit to the LPC and its energy consumers.

“Every type of solar generation arrangement has benefits and complications. The value in working with Seven States Power lies in having a team of experts who know what those benefits and challenges are based on the unique qualities each LPC brings to the table, from geography to staffing resources,” says Noe.

With the completion of Project Liftoff in Huntsville, Ala., plus six very different types of solar projects currently under contract or in negotiant — including a unique joint project between Appalachian Electric Cooperative and Morristown Utilities as well as Sevier County Electric System’s complex solar installation atop a closed landfill — our team continues to rapidly gain knowledge that will inform and advance the expertise we bring to every future consultation. To learn more about Seven States’ solar solutions, contact Steve Noe.

By Jessica Bradshaw April 7, 2026
Seven States Power Corporation President and CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, attended the Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) Board of Directors meeting in Washington, DC on March 4, 2026, joining regional leaders to discuss economic development, infrastructure investment, and the TVC’s upcoming National Summit. The TVC brings together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to strengthen the region’s competitiveness and support long-term growth. McCall’s participation reinforced Seven States’ commitment to collaborating with regional partners to ensure the Valley’s energy systems continue to support economic expansion and community prosperity. During this visit, McCall also met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service staff to discuss additional federal financing opportunities that could support energy development across the Tennessee Valley. The conversation focused on Seven States’ request for nearly $6 billion in funding to acquire natural gas generation resources across the Valley. An additional $320 million could support distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), helping utilities strengthen grid reliability and modernization of the region’s power infrastructure. By strengthening relationships with federal leaders and advocating for policies that support growing energy demands in the Valley, McCall reinforced Seven States’ commitment to reliable, affordable and abundant power supply. McCall plans to attend the TVC's National Summit on May 28-29, 2026 in Chattanooga, TN to highlight the region's growth for economic prosperity.
By Jessica Bradshaw April 7, 2026
Seven States President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, spent time at the Tennessee State Capitol on February 4, 2026, meeting with legislators including members of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and the House Commerce Committee. A central focus of the meetings was providing an update on Seven States’ Energy Express project, an initiative designed to support growth in the Tennessee Valley with 220MW of battery storage. This project will be funded with a $439 million award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (USDA RUS) New ERA program. McCall shared how Seven States will leverage federal financing opportunities, such as their USDA award of $439 million along with access to additional federal funds, to build or acquire generation and capacity to meet energy demand across the region, particularly as TVA navigates its debt constraints. She updated the legislators on how funding available to Seven States complements and amplifies TVA’s efforts to maintain a reliable energy system. By pairing federal financing with regional expertise in project deployment, Seven States can help utilities of all sizes move energy projects forward. The Seven States team also successfully engaged in state-level advocacy efforts to help stop proposed legislation that would have imposed an additional tax on electric vehicle (EV) charging. Working alongside partners and stakeholders, Seven States communicated to lawmakers how the proposed tax could create unnecessary barriers to EV infrastructure development and slow innovation within Tennessee’s evolving energy and transportation sectors. These advocacy efforts serve to refine and advance initiatives that impact a rapidly changing energy landscape. Together with partner LPCs, Seven States is building and energizing the grid of the future.
By Jessica Bradshaw April 7, 2026
Seven States Power Leadership traveled to Washington, D.C., February 23–25 to meet with members of the Tennessee Valley congressional delegation while attending the American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally with the nation’s public power electric utilities. Seven States Board Chair, Jeff Dykes, (CEO, BrightRidge) and President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall engaged with federal leaders to advocate for more power supply, educate on the flexible financing available to Seven States as a generation and transmission cooperative, and build relationships with federal representatives on key energy issues. A central focus of the meetings was providing an update on Seven States’ Energy Express project, an initiative designed to support growth in the Tennessee Valley with 220MW of additional capacity. This project will be funded with a $439 million award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service. McCall and Dykes also led discussions highlighting how Seven States serves as an in-Valley solution to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s current debt constraint challenges. Through its financing capabilities, Seven States can own utility-scale power plants and double the impact of TVA’s capital investments, thereby expanding production and modernizing grid infrastructure. McCall and Dykes worked to educate policymakers about how aligning objectives and encouraging the use of Seven States as a mechanism for short- and mid-term financing solutions can unleash American energy faster. McCall plans to attend the NRECA Legislative Conference April 26 – 28 in Washington D.C. to continue these efforts with the nation’s electric cooperatives.
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