Ozarks Electric Announces New Solar Partnership with Springdale Schools

Ozarks Electric Cooperative will partner with Springdale Public Schools and Today’s Power Inc. (TPI) on a new 2.4 megawatt (MW) solar facility near Sonora Middle School in Springdale, Arkansas. The project will contain 7 MW of battery storage that Ozarks Electric will lease from Today’s Power. When complete, the project is expected to offset approximately 95% of the total energy used by Don Tyson School of Innovation, Sonora Middle School and Sonora Elementary School.

“Ozarks Electric is proud to work with Springdale Schools to help increase their renewable footprint and aid in a project that embodies their mission and values,” said Mitchell Johnson, president and CEO of Ozarks Electric. “This project demonstrates how we explore innovative ways to bring solutions and services to our members that provide economic, energy-efficiency and sustainability benefits.”

“This is a win-win for the Springdale Public Schools,” said Kelly Hayes, deputy superintendent of Springdale Public Schools. “This projects allows the district to be powered by renewable energy and offers us the the opportunity to expose our students to new learning opportunities while fulfilling our ongoing commitment of fiscal responsibility.”

Ozarks Electric members will also benefit from the project through reduced wholesale demand cost from the 7 MW of battery storage.

“Strategic placement and utilization of battery storage through the tri-lateral partnership of Springdale Schools, Today’s Power and Ozarks Electric creates an opportunity to save approximately $2.3 million dollars for our members over the next 25 years,” Johnson said.

“We are always looking for ways to provide beneficial renewable energy solutions in our local communities,” said Today’s Power president Michael Henderson. “Collaborating with Springdale Public Schools and Ozarks Electric is a fantastic way to expand the use of renewable energy in Northwest Arkansas while also educating our youth about the advantages of renewable energy.”

The project will require Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) approval prior to beginning construction.

Ozarks Electric, incorporated in 1938, is a member-owned electric cooperative, serving more than 79,000 meters across nine counties in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma. Ozarks Electric operates a 1-megawatt community solar facility called Ozarks Natural Energy, with shares available to members. For more information about Ozarks Electric, visit www.ozarksecc.com.

Springdale Public Schools has 31 campuses in Washington County and an enrollment of approximately 23,000 students in pre-kindergarten through the twelfth grade. For more information about Springdale Public Schools, visit www.sdale.org.

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. For more information about Today’s Power, visit www.todayspower.com.