by Tyler Hale
Today’s Power Inc. (TPI) is closing out 2019 with another agreement to build a solar array for an electric cooperative in Southwest Arkansas. On Dec. 19, Today’s Power broke ground on a 1-megawatt solar array for Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative (SWAECC).
The single-axis tracking solar array, which will be located near the cooperative’s headquarters in Texarkana, Ark., will occupy roughly eight acres of ground and feature 3,800 solar panels. The array is designed to overset a portion of SWAECC’s peak energy demand.
“Our partnership with Today’s Power allows us to add 1 MW of renewable generation to our portfolio and improve the quality of life for our members,” Wayne Whitaker, SWAECC President and CEO, said in a statement. Our mission at Southwest Arkansas Electric is to provide first-class electric service to the community that is safe, reliable and affordable.”
Headquartered in Texarkana, SWAECC services multiple Southwest Arkansas counties, including Columbia, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Polk and Sevier counties in Arkansas, as well as Bowie and Cass counties in Texas and McCurtain County in Oklahoma.
In total, SWAECC operates 4883 miles of distribution lines, 125 miles of transmission lines, 24 substations, and services 25,190 meters, according to the company’s website.
“This solar project is a representation of the board of director’s and management’s excellent commitment and vision to further improve the quality of life in their communities, thus creating substantial savings for the members of SWAECC for the next 25 to 30 years.,” said Michael Henderson, President of TPI.
This is the 13thsolar project that TPI has developed for a member of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives; there are 17 total cooperatives in Arkansas. TPI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
Today’s Power has announced multiple projects in December 2019. The first project announced was a partnership between Delta Farms, Southland Gin, Craighead Electric Cooperative and Today’s Power to develop a three-system solar array in Jonesboro.
The City of Paris partnered with Today’s Power to develop and build a 1.5 MW solar array in the town. Today’s Power will own and operate the solar array, and the city will purchase electricity from TPI as part of a 20-year contract.
READ MORE: What’s Happened in the Solar Industry in 2019?
Image courtesy of Today’s Power