north arkansas electric cooperative
17 grads get Round Up scholarships
Estimate savings, research costs before committing to home solar installation North Arkansas Electric Cooperative personnel have heard from an increasing number of members who have bought or financed solar installations and are dissatisfied with their electric bills or confused about the netmetering process. NAEC recommends members considering solar become familiar with the net-metering section of the co-op's tariff filed with the Arkansas Public Service Commission. It is available at naeci.com/solar and includes the preliminary interconnection site review request form and standard interconnection agreement for net-metering facilities that must be completed before a solar installation can connect to NAEC's distribution system. Members should consider the payback and ensure any estimates provided by licensed and insured vendors are using NAEC's kWh rates and taking into consideration the minimum daily charge. Many have installed solar panels and then have electric bills plus solar loan payments that are higher than their previous electric bills. NAEC also recommends members contact their insurance provider to see if their policy will be affected. Members with questions about the purchase, installation or net metering of a solar array can email solar@naeci.com or call 870895-3221. 22
SEPTEMBER 2022 NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up® program awarded a scholarship to 17 recent high school graduates. Fifteen students will receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000. New this year is a recurring scholarship worth a total of $4,000. Two students — Joia Traver and Zane Fountain — each will receive $1,000 toward their college education annually for up to four years. High school seniors may apply for the next round of scholarships after Feb. 1. The application will be posted at naeci.com and available through high school counselors. Members can help fund future scholarships by enrolling their electric account or accounts in Operation Round Up. Participants agree to have their monthly electric bill “rounded up” to the nearest dollar. For example, a bill of $85.60 would become $86. Donations are placed in a trust and administered by a five-member independent board of community leaders. The volunteer board evaluates all requests and determines how Operation Round Up funds are distributed. Since its inception, more than $207,000 in college scholarships, grants to community organizations and disaster relief has been awarded. In July, the board awarded $500 to the Fulton County Senior Life Program to help provide meals for senior citizens. The application for a donation is available to download at naeci.com/operation-round-up.
SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT — Join Operation Round Up! Enroll your electric account(s) by visiting naeci.com/operation-round-up, calling 870-895-3221 or mentioning Operation Round Up while in the drive-thru. The average annual donation per account is just $6, but that adds up to a lot of good when many participate.