Members of the Twin Lakes Sustainability Volunteers (TLSV) and friends took the opportunity recently to educate themselves about industry-scale solar power.
On Dec. 13, they visited the North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NAEC) at its new solar array located on U.S. Highway 62 between Viola and Salem. The guided tour was facilitated by NAEC Marketing and Communications Director Tori Moss, and on hand to provide technical instruction were Vice President of Engineering Jason Strong and systems engineer Kevin Reese.
Strong and Reese addressed all the group' questions in their informative presentation. They told the visiting group that the 4,009 panel solar array covers 7 acres and produces 1 million watts of nominal power, for an average of 200,000 kilowatt hours per month. That is enough energy to power 125-150 homes per year. The panels are mounted to a tracking system that allows them to follow the sun throughout the day, maximizing energy production.
NAEC’s solar array was built by Today’s Power and dedicated on April 23, 2019. The cost of the project was $2.2 million. The site is also being developed as a habitat for pollinators, rabbits and birds. Tours are given to area school classes, as well as other interested groups.
TLSV members expressed great appreciation for the facility and were happy to learn details about its structure and systems operation. Members said they hope the co-op will expand its ventures in solar production.
“It is an awesome facility,” said TLSV member Mark Segura. “I hope it stimulates interest in the advantages of solar energy in both the public and private sectors.”
Strong concurred that solar represents the best opportunity for alternative energy production here in Arkansas. He stated that, for the co-op, the cost of solar is now on par with that of more traditional natural resources.
2019-12-20 05:40:27Z
https://www.baxterbulletin.com/story/news/local/2019/12/19/local-group-gets-close-up-look-solar-array/2700540001/
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