Tennessee utility to add more solar power to grid

U.S. energy provider Dominion said Wednesday it added solar power developments in Tennessee that will bring its total solar power portfolio to 212 megawatts.

Dominion said it acquired two solar energy projects in southwest Tennessee for an undisclosed sum. Power generated from both sites will be purchased by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Each of the projects, Mulberry Farm and Selmer Form, will produce about 16 megawatts of power at peak capacity, bringing Dominion's total solar output to 212 megawatts once both projects enter into service at the end of 2014.

Dominion said Wednesday the acquisition is in line with the company's strategy of adding more renewable energy to its portfolio.

The company said the land needed to build the two solar projects has already been acquired and construction is expected to start "shortly."

Dominion said the two projects are in the late stages of development by Strata Solar, a company in North Carolina.