North Little Rock-based renewable energy company Today’s Power Inc. (TPI) recently broke ground on two solar arrays and completed a solar project in southern Arkansas.
TPI said (Oct. 15) construction of arrays for Star City School District and Yorktown Water Association in Star City will start in the fourth quarter reported Talk, Business and Politics.
TPI also recently celebrated the completion of the solar project for Bearden School District, which comprises parts of Ouachita, Dallas and Calhoun counties.
The 1-megawatt array for Star City School District will use single-axis tracking technology and is expected to generate 1.97 million kilowatt-hours in the first year of operation or about 75% of its electricity demand. C&L Electric Cooperative would provide the remaining 25% of electricity demand.
“The Star City School District is proud to be a part of this project,” Superintendent Jordan Frizzell said. “We want to find innovative ways to take care of our environment while being fiscally responsible. As a pillar in the Star City community, being able to find ways to produce clean, renewable energy for our district is a great opportunity that benefits everyone.”
The 500-kilowatt array for Yorktown Water Association also will use single-axis tracking technology and generate more than 1.01 million kilowatt-hours in the first year of operation, or about 64% of its electricity demand.
“This project will help keep the cost of providing water low for all of YMA’s customers,” TPI President Michael Henderson said. “This investment will also provide an economic boost to the southeast Arkansas region.”
TPI owns the arrays that will be built on 12 acres. TPI and the school district and association have a 20-year solar agreement and will sell to them the electricity generated by the arrays. The school district serves Star City and Grady and several unincorporated areas. The association provides water services to the community.
The solar project for Bearden School District is expected to save the school district $25,000 annually. The 1,140-panel system can produce more than 720,000 kilowatt-hours per year or about 90% of its electricity demand. TPI and Bearden School District also have a 20-year solar agreement.
Source: Talk, Business and Politics