CAMDEN — NORTH LITTLE ROCK – The City of Camden and Ouachita County have teamed together with Scenic Hill Solar to build 6.5 MW DC of solar power plants. These solar power plants will provide electricity equal to the electricity consumption for all government operations at both the city and county levels as well as for Camden Water Utilities and Ouachita County Medical Center.
The plants are expected to be operational sometime in late 2019 to early 2020.
Mayor Julian Lott remarked, “This partnership between Camden, Ouachita County, and Scenic Hill Solar allows us to reduce our carbon footprint while saving money for our citizens. We will reduce our spending on electricity, we will have a long-term hedge against electricity price increases, and we can improve the sustainability of our operations. We are excited to partner with Ouachita County to become the first city and county combination in Arkansas to target 100 percent solar electricity for all our governmental operations.”
County Judge Robert McAdoo stated, “Adding the solar power plants allows the City of Camden and Ouachita County to be on the cutting edge of renewable power for the future. We are excited about the budget savings and the economic development benefits from the investments being made in our community by Scenic Hill Solar.”
David Richardson, General Manager of Camden Water Utilities commented, “The City of Camden and Camden Water Utilities are excited to be partnering with Scenic Hill Solar on helping the City of Camden and Camden Water Utilities reduce our energy costs. Equally exciting is that this is a joint project between the City of Camden, Camden Water Utilities and Ouachita County — working together in an effort to go green while reducing our budget expenses at the same time. The City of Camden and Camden Water Utilities alone are projected to save over $115,000 in the first full year of operation with the possibility of even more savings in the future. Before committing, we had numerous meetings with Scenic Hill Solar to address questions. We very much look forward to working with Scenic Hill Solar as we move the City of Camden and Camden Water Utilities into the future.”
Peggy Abbott, CEO/President of Ouachita County Medical Center stated, “I have long been an advocate of renewable energy but was previously prevented by higher costs. No longer. Now we will save scarce budget dollars and devote the savings directly to health care. Further, the generation of solar electricity has no harmful impacts on health and the environment while some other methods of electricity generation can contribute to asthma and other lung diseases. This is a winner for our budget, a winner for the environment, and a winner for health.”
Bill Halter, CEO of Scenic Hill Solar noted, “We are proud to work with Camden and Ouachita County as they target becoming the first city and county combination in Arkansas to utilize 100 percent solar electricity for all their governmental operations. This project demonstrates that businesses and government organizations can simultaneously save money, hedge against future electricity price increases, protect the environment, and foster local economic development.”
Scenic Hill Solar will build, own and operate the solar power plants on land leased from Ouachita County. The City of Camden and Ouachita County will purchase the solar plant’s power according to the terms of a Solar Power Services Agreement.
The 6.5 MW DC of solar power plants will:
Produce over 9,900,000 kWh of electricity in the first year of operation and produce over 276,400,000 kWh of electricity over the next 30 years.
Produce enough clean electricity to satisfy 100 percent of electricity used in all governmental operations for both the City of Camden and Ouachita County including Camden Water Utilities and the Ouachita County Medical Center.
Contain over 16,000 solar modules
Reduce carbon emissions by over 195,000 metric tons which is the equivalent of driving over 477 million fewer passenger car miles OR eliminating the burning of over 213 million pounds of coal OR providing over 34,000 homes electricity for one year.
About Scenic Hill Solar: Scenic Hill Solar is the largest Arkansas headquartered solar power developer according to Solar Power World. 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 North 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.