Another major solar project in Stuttgart will have a groundbreaking this week.
The Stuttgart School District recently partnered with Scenic Hill Solar to develop a solar power plant for its energy needs. The district had its groundbreaking on June 24.
Now the City of Stuttgart will be hosting a groundbreaking of its solar power plant, which was also developed in partnership with Scenic Hill Solar. The 1.3 megawatt solar system is a public-private partnership between the two entities and will be located approximately one-quarter mile west of Highway 165 in Stuttgart.
The groundbreaking will be held on Thursday, July 2.
“We’re very delighted to see the fruition of more than a year’s worth of planning and development of this solar power plant,” Mayor David Earney said in a statement. “We’re at the forefront of a larger trend in the State of Arkansas and especially in our City of Stuttgart. When these projects are complete, we’ll add Solar Power to our proud reputation as the Duck and Rice Capital of the World. We’re immensely proud to be responsible stewards of the environment and our budget, and we invite businesses looking to relocate to Stuttgart as a community that embraces renewable energy.” Earney added, “The project will have a multi-million dollar benefit to Stuttgart and the region at a time when economic growth around the world is on life support.”
The project will be completed in two phases. Once the first phase is completed, the power plant is expected to provide roughly 40 percent of the city’s electrical needs. A second phase will provide an additional 1.85 megawatts and is under review by the Arkansas Public Service Commission.
According to Scenic Hill Solar’s projections, the two power plants will produce more than 150,786,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity over the course of 30 years. Combined, the two systems are expected to provide all of the city’s needs for its government operations.
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