‘Energy Turns the World’ | Sunsphere welcome center to be solar powered in tribute to World’s Fair

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – This week, the City of Knoxville will cut the ribbon on the Sunsphere’s new welcome center, but the center won’t be the only change for the Knoxville icon.

The welcome center’s canopy will also house an array of solar panels, which will power the addition through solar energy.

Chroma Energy Group is behind the addition; the group said the array will pay homage to the 1982 World’s Fair’s theme: “Energy Turns the World.”

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“As Knoxville continues to position itself as a clean energy hub for businesses and residents, Chroma is honored to take part in this pivotal project for downtown Knoxville,” said Ed Rottmann, CEO of Chroma Energy Group. “This installation not only generates clean electricity but serves as an educational tool, demonstrating how solar power can be seamlessly integrated into historic structures while preserving their architectural significance.”

The welcome center’s canopy will house 30 7.7 kilowatt solar panels. They’ll generate around 10,000 kilowatt-hours of power each year.

It marks the latest in a series of projects aimed at sprucing up the downtown Knoxville icon. The Sunsphere recently got a new paint job as well, turning the base from green to its 1982 original blue.

Those interested in stopping by the Sunsphere on the welcome center’s opening day are invited to do so on Nov. 20.

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