Hampton School District unveils 720-kW (DC) fixed-tilt solar array at their campus.
The Hampton School District solar array, located near their football stadium, is now commissioned and operational.
Dedicated to innovation and sustainability in reducing their carbon footprint, the Hampton School District solar project was designed to offset the energy use of the campus. Projected to supply over 90% percent of the campus’ energy consumption, the system can produce over 1,240,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. Ouachita Electric Cooperative (OECC) will provide the remaining energy needs of the District.
Hampton School District Superintendent, Doug Worley, said that “This project exemplifies partnership and investing in our community.”
The project, now consisting of over 2,000 panels, began when the district reached out to their local utility, OECC, seeking a solution to lower energy bills.
“Our goal at OECC is to help our members receive the lowest cost, most sustainable and most efficient energy available,” said Mark Cayce, CEO/General Manager of Ouachita Electric Cooperative.
Once OECC conducted an evaluation of the school district’s facilities, it was suggested that Hampton Schools consider solar energy as a power alternative. In April 2020, the school board began pursuing solar-powered opportunities by creating and distributing a request for proposal (RFP) from qualified solar vendors with the goal of reducing operating expenses.
Choosing North Little Rock’s Today’s Power, Inc. (TPI) as its energy partner, the agreement with TPI is a win-win for the school district, OECC, students, and surrounding members. The savings from the purchase power agreement are to be reallocated to services for district, students and Hampton School District’s and OECC’s local community.
“We are excited to partner with Hampton Schools as they fulfill their mission” said Michael Henderson, President of Today’s Power, Inc. “Embracing leading edge technology so all of their students receive benefits of lower cost and contributing to a cleaner environment is sending the right message to the over 600 students they represent,” he added.
Today’s Power, Inc.
Today’s Power, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based utility service cooperative owned by 17 Arkansas electric distribution cooperatives. Today’s Power, Inc. offers turn-key solar photovoltaic systems, energy storage systems, electric vehicles and charging stations for all sizes and applications.
Hampton School District
Hampton School District is a public-school district based in Hampton, AR. The school district encompasses 479.67 square miles of land. Hampton School District is the only public-school district in Calhoun County. The city of Hampton is conveniently located 30 miles north of El Dorado, AR and 25 miles east of Camden, AR.
Hampton School District serves over 600 students from the communities of Hampton, Harrell, Tinsman, and Locust Bayou. The district consists of one comprehensive high school, one elementary school, and one pre-k school. Hampton employs approximately 100 faculty and staff members.
Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation
Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation is a non-profit rural electric utility cooperative headquartered in Camden, Arkansas, with a district office in Hampton, Arkansas. The Cooperative was organized in 1938. The Cooperative serves portions of five counties in the state of Arkansas, in a territory generally surrounding Camden and Hampton.
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