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Pulaski County leaders flip the switch to supply power using solar energy

With the flip of a switch, Pulaski County officials celebrated the launch of a new solar array in the Little Rock port.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — With the flip of a switch on Monday morning, Pulaski County officials celebrated the launch of a new collection of multiple solar panels in the Little Rock port.

It's the county's second solar-power site, and now that both of them are up and running,  they’re going to supply the majority of power to the county's buildings 

"Flipping the switch and bringing this solar array online is the result of a tremendous amount of resolve, planning, and a desire to propel Pulaski County into the 21st century," Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde explained.

It's one of two of the county's solar arrays and Judge Hyde said they're going to supply roughly 90 percent of the county's electric needs. 

The solar array is on 40 acres of land, and currently, there are 14,800 panels in place.

"We want to keep finding better ways and more efficient ways to take advantage of what's available and provide such services to the county residents," Judge Hyde said.

The county's first and smaller solar site near the detention center started operating in April of 2021.

It's also been working in partnership with "Today's Power."

Judge Hyde explained how that location alone has saved the county about 50,000 dollars a year and this new one in Little Rock's Industrial Park will just add to the savings.

"We're spending $250,000 a year less every year for the next 25 years by the use of solar power, sustainable, clean power," he added.

Although they're celebrating now, Judge Hyde said they had to overcome a lot of challenges to bring this idea to life.

"I'd like to say that I never doubted we were gonna get to the end. But I gotta tell you, I doubted that we'd ever get to the end. So this is just extremely satisfying," he explained.

Pulaski County Attorney Adam Fogleman worked on this project for the last eight years and said that in addition to saving the county money, it's also better for the environment.

"We're harnessing the power of the sun, there are no moving pieces, no moving parts, the sun lands on the array, it converts it into electric power, and then puts it onto the grid," Fogleman said.

Plus, there's no difference for taxpayers.

"I think it may be the very best example of public-private partnership," Judge Hyde said.

Pulaski County and Today's Power have a 25-year contract to provide energy through the solar arrays with the goal of renewing and improving it when that deadline comes.

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