Today’s Power Inc. of Little Rock dedicated another in a long string of collaborative solar power projects for Arkansas electric cooperatives Friday, flipping the switch on a 1-megawatt sun array with South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative of Arkadelphia.
“The rain didn’t stop us — this time,” Today’s Power spokeswoman Jennah Denney told Arkansas Business, noting that the “Flip the Switch” ceremony had already been postponed once by bad weather.
With 3,800 photovoltaic panels, following the sun through a single-axis tracking system, the system is adjacent to the headquarters of the electric co-op, which serves 10,000 member accounts in eight counties: Clark, Dallas, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Montgomery, Nevada and Pike.
Part of the purpose of the solar array is to mitigate peak demand loads, saving money on co-op members’ electric bills. The grounds around the array will also be prepared by Quail International to provide habitats for pollinating insects and other wildlife, including cottontail rabbits, bobwhite quail and grassland songbirds.
“This project demonstrates the dedication of SCAEC not only to provide reliable, affordable energy to our members, but also to listen to their feedback,” Brian Kirksey, president of the cooperative’s board, told gathered dignitaries. “Many members have asked for additional renewable generation sources in recent years. This utility-scale installation offers just that.”
Michael Henderson, Today’s Power president, praised co-op leaders for making a sound investment for the future, foreseeing “significant savings for the members of SCAEC over the 25-year estimated life” of the array. He also called the project an economic stimulus for Clark County.
Today’s Power is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc., the Little Rock utility service cooperative that is owned by the state’s 17 electric distribution cooperatives, including nearly a dozen that have partnered with TPI on solar projects.
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