The University of Arkansas Office for Sustainability launched a system-wide solar energy project on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22.
The project is the largest commercial solar project in Arkansas history and includes more than 20 solar power plants across the state. One of those solar facilities was unveiled at the event, located in west Fayetteville, and is currently serving the university’s Cato Springs Research Center.
The event featured remarks from Provost Indrajeet Chaubey; Chris Thomason, the UA System vice president for planning and development; Scott Turley, senior advisor and project manager for facilities management; and Bill Halter, CEO of Scenic Hill Solar.
As the fourth-largest university solar deployment in U.S. history, the solar services agreement, signed in 2022, is expected to create both significant energy savings for the UA System and substantial economic impact for the state over the next 25 years.
The Fayetteville campus alone accounts for over half of the project’s total energy production usage. Through this ambitious project, the campus will hedge against expected rising energy rates, reduce environmental impact, create opportunities for hands-on learning and research, and take a big step toward achieving its 2040 carbon neutrality goals.
Through a competitive bidding process, the UA System entered into a solar services agreement with Scenic Hill Solar to provide energy as a service to UA campuses. The private-company partner designed, installed and connected the solar systems and will continue to maintain and operate them, allowing the university to purchase the entire renewable energy output at a predetermined rate.
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