AAC
COVER STORY
Flipping the Switch Arkansas counties looking to solar power options
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hen Washington County’s solar energy project went online in May, it became the largest county-owned and rooftop solar array in the state. The 5,400-panel system in Fayetteville is part of Washington County’s $8-million energy-efficiency measures, approved by the county quorum court last year. The measures are expected to save taxpayers $10.2 million in electrical costs over 10 years. In fact, according to an article by Arkansas Advanced Energy Association, the county will pay an electrical bill only a few times a year. “By investing in solar energy production, Washington County is able to significantly reduce its grid consumption,” said Dwight Gonzalez, the county’s director of buildings and grounds. “It’s a smart financial decision for the county, particularly during these uncertain economic times.” Solar energy panels that will produce 2.01 megawatts of electricity were installed on the roofs of two office buildings and shops of the road department and in a ground field on Washington County’s south campus near Clydesdale Drive. Installed by Seal Solar, it is part of a performance contract
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by Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) to implement facility improvement measures, including 2,327 LED light fixtures and controls; 137 water conservation retrofits and upgrades; 88 pieces of HVAC equipment; a county-wide energy management system; new fire alarms; and overall building enhancements like weather stripping. “Since 2012, Seal Solar has tackled groundbreaking projects to empower entities across the state to achieve energy independence,” said Josh Davenport, the firm’s co-founder and CEO. “Once again, we’re proud to lead the charge on an unprecedented solar design and installation project with the largest county-owned and rooftop array in Arkansas.” Meter aggregation from the array will offset energy consumption at Washington County’s facilities, including its animal shelter, armory, coroner’s office, bridge building, county library, election commission, historic courthouse, judicial annex, juvenile detention center, maintenance shop, Rescue/ Training Center, road department and Sheriff’s office/Detention Center, among others. “Judge [Joseph] Wood and his team challenged us to help
7/14/20 1:12 PM
