Pulaski County is headed down the solar route with the development of two new solar energy projects.
County Judge Barry Hyde flipped the switch on a 756-panel, 250 kilowatt solar array, located near the Pulaski County Detention Center, on Tuesday, April 6. This solar array is one of two that Pulaski County has in the pipeline.
TPI President Michael Henderson
Developed by Today’s Power Inc., the two solar arrays are projected to meet 86 percent of Pulaski County’s electrical demands. TPI was selected as the project developer in 2019 with work on the solar array beginning in late 2020 and completed in April 2021.
The second solar array – a 4.6 megawatt fixed-tilt solar array – will be located at the Little Rock Port Authority Industrial Park and is currently under review by the Arkansas Public Service Commission. However, TPI expects for the project to be completed in 2021.
“Pulaski County led the effort to open access for non-profits and counties to use reliable, renewable energy in 2019, and now we are proud to have ‘flipped the switch’ on a solar array dedicated to Pulaski County’s use,” Hyde said in a statement.
TPI is financing the solar array development and will own and operate the systems. Pualski County will purchase electricity generated by the solar array at a rate of 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour under a 20-year agreement.
“Through technology and partnership, this project exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to meeting Pulaski County’s future needs,” TPI President Michael Henderson said. “This project will provide Pulaski County with cost-effective energy security, and we appreciate Judge Barry Hyde’s foresight and the county’s willingness to take on a project like this to promote Pulaski County’s environmental and economic development,” he added.
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