FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First Arkansas-based Solar Plus Storage System Connects to Grid
City of Fayetteville, Ozarks Electric Cooperative, Today’s Power, Inc. Flip the Switch on Solar/Storage Facility
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., September 3, 2019— All are invited to a “Flip the Switch” event at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 6 at the Westside Water Treatment Facility property (access to solar array farm is on Broyles Avenue, just south of Persimmon Street). One of the first large-scale systems of combined solar arrays and on-site battery storage in the mid-South, a joint project between the City of Fayetteville, Ozarks Electric Cooperative, and Today's Power, Inc., will be officially linked to the nation’s power grid.
The entire project is made up of five systems, three solar farms and two battery storage facilities, which encompass 87 acres at Fayetteville’s two water treatment facilities. The capacity of the entire operation totals 10 megawatts of new solar generation with 24 megawatt-hours of on-site energy storage. Of all the City of Fayetteville’s government buildings and facilities, the Paul R. Noland Wastewater Treatment Facility (east Fayetteville) and the Westside Water Treatment facility are the city’s largest power users. This installation will save the city approximately $180,000 per year.
The solar photovoltaic panel arrays are mounted on a sun tracking system that generates about 15% more electricity than stationary mounts for peak solar exposure. When electricity generated by the arrays exceeds the demand of the wastewater treatment facilities, energy will be distributed to the grid for use by cooperative members or to the on-site battery storage systems which can be dispatched into the grid during peak usage periods.
Work on the $23 million system started in March, and power generation began in July. In late August, under a trilateral contract between the City of Fayetteville, Ozarks Electric Cooperative, and Today's Power, Inc (TPI), a complete interconnection was established. The Fayetteville community is moving closer to several objectives in its Energy Action Plan through this collaboration, ensuring that residents and future generations can inherit a clean planet. City officials aim to have 100% clean, cost-efficient power by 2030.
“Climate change is affecting cities around the world,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan. “The City of Fayetteville is committed to honoring goals of the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Agreement, starting right here in our own community. We want to lead by example for our residents, students, businesses, and utility partners—showing the nation that supporting low-carbon initiatives not only promotes renewable energy and efficiency—it also creates opportunities for good jobs and investments in the Northwest Arkansas region. This incredible project demonstrates Fayetteville’s commitment.”
This project was the first utility-scale solar plus storage project in the mid-South when announced at the end of 2018. A host of comparable projects across Arkansas and neighboring states are anticipated to be triggered.
“This project is a demonstration for how integrated solar and batteries can together deliver dispatchable electricity into the grid when it is needed, whether or not the sun is available at that moment,” TPI President, Michael Henderson, said. “Early renewable adopters had to change their lifestyle to enjoy renewable energy but with storage, the consumer can live a normal lifestyle.”
Mitchell Johnson, president and CEO of Ozarks Electric Cooperative, said, “The connection of a project delivering reliable, renewable power to help the city of Fayetteville achieve the goals of their energy plan was a milestone for the Cooperative. Solar power combined with storage will play a significant role in our electricity grid in the future.”
“This project demonstrates how Fayetteville’s progressive energy policies can drive market innovation and create collaborative partnerships. It will provide Fayetteville with cost-effective energy security while also protecting our environment,” according to Peter Nierengarten, City of Fayetteville Environmental Director.
Today's Power designed this distinctive system to upgrade electrical systems at the wastewater treatment facilities and enable Fayetteville to move closer to attaining its clean energy goals. Ozarks Electric Cooperative upgraded existing on-site electrical connections and is accountable for maintenance. TPI will retain 99% ownership of the solar system and 1% will be owned by the City. TPI will have complete storage system ownership and operation.
###
Fayetteville’s Energy Action Plan (EAP) addresses local effects of climate change, energy efficiency efforts and clean energy production. It is the first to be adopted in Arkansas and the 54th in the nation. For more information about the tri-lateral agreement, the solar power generation and battery storage project or Fayetteville’s Energy Action Plan, please visit this webpage: www.fayetteville-ar.gov/energyactionplan.
Ozarks Electric Cooperative, incorporated in 1938, is a member-owned electric cooperative, serving more than 75,000 meters across nine counties in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma. Ozarks Electric Cooperative operates a 1-megawatt solar facility called Ozarks Natural Energy, with shares available to members. For more information about Ozarks Electric Cooperative, visit www.ozarksecc.com.
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. www.todayspower.com
For additional information, contact:
Peter Nierengarten, Environmental Director – City of Fayetteville, Ark.: 479.575.8272 or pnierengarten@fayetteville-ar.gov
Jennah Denney, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator – Today’s Power, Inc.,: 501.400.5548 or jdenney@todayspower.com
Ashley Harris, VP of Communications – Ozarks Electric Cooperative: 479.684.4956 or aharris@ozarksecc.com