The City of Forrest City, Arkansas and Scenic Hill Solar have partnered to build three solar power plants to provide electricity to the city. The 3 solar plants will total 3.46 MW DC of capacity and produce 100 percent renewable energy for the Forrest City government and municipal operations. The solar power plants will save the city over $80,000 a year that can be dedicated toward other city projects. The partnership was formed in concert with the Arkansas Energy Office’s Energy Performance Contracting program and will also deliver energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades across Forrest City municipal facilities. In total, the energy project is estimated to save Forrest City more than $100,000 annually. The project is also located in the service territories of two electric utilities – a first for an Arkansas solar project.
Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams said, “This is a very exciting cutting-edge venture for Our Forrest City and the entire community. This project fits right in line with my vision of enhancing technological capacity while also finding ways to become more efficient with our citizens’ tax dollars along with investing in sustainable growth opportunities for our future. The project will also have a tremendous impact on our local economy while being constructed through both local employment and as construction workers will be staying in our hotels and eating at our local restaurants. Our partnership began earlier this year when the City selected Scenic Hill Solar through the Arkansas Energy Office as our preferred energy services provider.” Mayor Williams added, “Scenic Hill Solar demonstrated the greatest ability to meet our needs and deliver savings to Forrest City. We are excited to collaborate on the solar development and to leverage this project to attract further economic activity to Forrest City.”
“We are delighted to partner with Forrest City on this transformative set of investments in renewable energy,” said Bill Halter, CEO of Scenic Hill Solar. “We commend Mayor Cedric Williams and the City Council of Forrest City for moving forward with vision and boldness to provide renewable electricity, reduce total taxpayer spending on electricity, and stimulate local economic development through the construction of multiple power plants. This commitment to smart sustainability is a big reason for companies to look to Forrest City as a place to thrive. Scenic Hill Solar is excited to partner with the “Jewel of the Delta” to deploy three solar power plants – the energy technology of the 21st Century.”
The project will add over $5 million to the Forrest City economy and will begin construction after all governmental approvals are received. The project is slated for completion and generation of solar electricity in late 2020.
The three solar power plants totaling 3.46 MW will:
- Produce over 5,882,000 kWh of electricity in the first year of operation and over 164,244,037 kWh of electricity over the next 30 years.
- Produce enough clean electricity to satisfy 100 percent of Forrest City governmental operations’ electricity consumption
- Contain over 7,000 solar modules
- Utilize up to three ground-mounted single-axis tracking solar systems
- Reduce carbon emissions by over 115,952 metric tons which is the equivalent of: driving over 289 million fewer passenger car miles or eliminating the burning of over 89 million pounds of coal or providing over 17,000 homes electricity for one year.
About the City of Forrest City:
Forrest City which was incorporated in 1870, is situated atop the beautiful geological formation of Crowley’s Ridge. Located on busy Interstate 40, Forrest City lies 92 miles east of Arkansas’ state capitol, Little Rock, and 45 miles west of the mighty Mississippi River and Memphis, Tennessee, the distribution center of the South. We give you the best of two worlds. On one hand, our proximity to these cities offers you the amenities of a metropolitan area. On the other hand, our smaller city atmosphere offers a lower cost of living, less traffic congestion, a more relaxed pace and sincere community appreciation for you and your business. The city is affectionally known as the "Jewel of the Delta."
About Scenic Hill Solar: Scenic Hill Solar provides commercial, industrial, government, and utility clients clean electricity, reduced energy prices and long-term electricity price certainty by developing client specific solar energy plans. Scenic Hill Solar provides clients either lower priced electricity under contract or turnkey delivery of solar power plants, depending on our clients' specific needs. Scenic Hill Solar Headquarters are in Little Rock, AR.
Visit the company online at www.ScenicHillSolar.com. Scenic Hill Solar's CEO is former Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter: www.ScenicHillSolar.com/billhalter.
