Arkansas solar plant to provide power for 3 GM car plants

  • August 19, 2024

Aerial view of the NorthStar’s Newport Solar project in Newport, Arkansas, which will support the electricity needs of General Motors Co. manufacturing facilities in Michigan and Missouri.

 

 

General Motors is making a big move toward solar power and it’s good news for an Arkansas-based solar power plant.

The car and truck manufacturer announced a 15-year renewable energy purchase to supply three U.S. assembly plants, including the Wentzville Assembly plant in Missouri.

The Detroit News reported the purchase is from NorthStar Clean Energy and its solar panel project in Newport, Arkansas.

An aerial view of Newport Solar, a newly-opened solar farm in Jackson County. The 180 megawatt facility began operations in October but officially opened on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Parker Mancino).

 

The 180 megawatt facility began operations last October on a 2,000-accre site. It started supplying power to GM at the time but the company didn’t celebrate the opening until a few days ago.

The Arkansas plant will supply electricity to GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly plants in Michigan in addition to the Missouri plant located about 40 miles west of St. Louis.

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Jerry Bohnen