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PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (November 1, 2022) – Pulaski County held a groundbreaking for its new solar array at the Little Rock Port Authority, which when completed, will save the County approximately $250,000 a year in current electric costs.
After completion, this 4.7MW solar array, in conjunction with Pulaski County’s other site located by the Pulaski County Detention Center, will supply approximately 90% of the County’s electric needs with clean, renewable solar power.
The cost to taxpayers for the County to transition to solar is $0, thanks to its solar service agreement with Today’s Power Inc. (TPI), the County’s solar service provider and investor for the solar array project. Per the agreement, the County will purchase all power generated from the two sites, which will save about $250,000 a year in current electric costs.
Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, TPI CEO Derek Dyson, and Port of Little Rock Executive Director Bryan Day were all present to break ground on Tuesday and thank key partners for bringing the project to light.
Hyde thanked his team, including County Attorney Adam Fogleman, for their dedication to the project. He also thanked Today’s Power for their patience as the County navigated “red tape” to bring the project to fruition.
Dyson explained that Today’s Power, a subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, had to work closely with Entergy to start the project.
“We’re really proud of that working relationship with [Entergy], but it did take some time to get over some hurdles and progressive issues,” said Dyson. “We’re looking forward to having this project complete.”
Day commented on how the solar project will present the appeal of sustainability to prospective partners of the Port.
“When we get visits from corporate America or from other corporations around the country, they often ask ‘what are you doing for sustainability?’” he said. “What I’m going to be able to say now is ‘let me show you,’ and we’re going to be able to hop in the car [and] come over here and see this great asset.”
The solar array is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
“Having our site here at the Port is a testament to Pulaski County’s ability to be cutting edge in keeping up with the times,” concluded Hyde. “That is a benefit to all of Pulaski County.”
- Pulaskicounty.net