The State of Tennessee will invest $62 million in federal stimulus funds for solar energy generation and research.

A solar plant with the capacity to generate 5 megawatts will be built in Haywood County. That power is enough to meet the needs of about 600 to 700 homes.

A second project consists of the creation of the Tennesse Solar Institute, a research center from the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The plans need to get final approval from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Tennessee Solar Energy