Pulaski County solar array to start operating in Q4 of 2023

A 4.6-megawatt solar array for Pulaski County is expected to be completed by the end of this year, according to a Monday (May 8) news release. The array, in conjunction with the county’s other site at Pulaski County Detention Center, is projected to meet about 90% of the county’s electricity demand.

The array is under construction at the Little Rock Port Authority and is expected to save the county about $250,000 annually in electricity costs. North Little Rock-based renewable energy company Today’s Power Inc. (TPI) is building the array.

“Today’s Power Inc. is excited about the progress in the completion of the 4.6MW solar project to support Pulaski County,” said TPI CEO Derek Dyson. “As a significant portion of the construction work is nearing completion, we are working toward commercial operation to commence Q4 of 2023.”

According to the release, the racking installation is nearly completed, and electrical work and fencing are underway. Transformers are expected this month.

In 2021, TPI completed the first array for Pulaski County, which employs about 600 people. The 250-kilowatt array operating near the detention center was expected to save the county at least $150,000 in the first year of operations.

TPI is a subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. and is owned by 17 Arkansas electric distribution cooperatives. The electric cooperatives collectively serve more than 600,000 members in 74 counties.