The State Building Commission has approved Chattanooga-based Signal Energy as the design/build contractor for the West Tennessee Solar Farm along Interstate 40 in Haywood County.

The company's bid of $20.5 million was chosen Thursday from among five submitted.

State officials say the proposed five-megawatt, 30-acre power generation facility will be one of the largest solar installations in the Southeast.

The farm will consist of more than 20,000 silicon-based photovoltaic modules, expected to produce more than 7,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually. Installation of the solar modules is expected to begin in October with completion next spring.

The University of Tennessee will oversee planning, operation and management of the farm.