City of Fort Smith moves forward on solar energy plan

The Fort Smith Board of Directors recently approved a solar energy plan. A $1.452 million investment will generate about $100,000 in annual energy cost savings that will offset 68% of energy use by the city.

The city has been proactive in seeking energy solutions, issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on March 22 for Energy Service Companies to provide guaranteed savings performance contracting services, according to Joshua Robertson, director of sustainability and citizen services for the city. Entegrity was the only respondent to that RFQ.

“Since April 2024, the city has been collaborating with Entegrity on solar projects and energy efficiency audits for city facilities. These collaborations are expected to generate over 17 million kWh annually, yielding over $100,000 in net savings each year, and $3.5 million in savings over the life of the solar arrays,” Robertson said.

The key projects that form part of this initiative include:
• A 35-acre large scale solar array constructed in partnership with Entegrity and OG&E as an off-site solar project in Logan County, which will generate at least 11 million kilowatt hours of energy per year;
• A 15-acre large scale solar array constructed in partnership with Entegrity and Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative located in Franklin County, which will generate at least 4 million kilowatt hours of energy per year;
• OG&E Farmer’s Market Canopy Solar Project at the Downtown Farmers Market on Garrison Avenue (300 kW DC); and
• OG&E Public Housing Solar Project in Crawford County, fully funded through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.

The public housing solar arrays are expected to generate 1.5 million kilowatt hours (covering 92% of energy costs) per year for Nelson Hall Homes, a 288-unit Fort Smith Housing Authority development on North 31st Street, information states. The city has been awarded but not yet received a $2.1 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that is expected to cover the cost of the public housing solar project.

The projects are highly cost-effective, benefiting from a 50% tax credit and contributing to long-term cost savings for the city. The large off-site arrays will be executed through a Solar Services Agreement (SSA), while the canopy array will be purchased outright by the city, Robertson said.

Director Jarred Rego questioned during a Sept. 17 board meeting if it was certain that the projects of this scale would generate revenue for the city.

“For a decade and a half, we will see the savings that are listed based on historical data and the estimates that we have. To be honest, these are actually conservative estimates,” Robertson said.