South Central Service Cooperative Unveils 100 kW Fixed-tilt Solar Array At Their Headquarters

South Central Service Cooperative Flips the Switch on Solar Power

The South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) solar array, located at their headquarters, is now commissioned and operational.

Dedicated to innovation and sustainability in reducing its carbon footprint, the SCSC solar project was designed to offset the energy use of the campus. Projected to supply nearly 99 percent of the SCSC’s energy consumption, the system is capable of producing over 185,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually.

SCSC Director, Karen Kay McMahen said that “This project exemplifies partnership and investing in our community.”

Director Karen Kay McMahen (SCSC)

The project, now consisting of 324 panels, began when the director reached out to their local utility, Ouachita Electric Cooperative (OECC), seeking a solution to lower energy bills.

Once OECC conducted an evaluation of the SCSC facilities, it was suggested that SCSC consider solar energy as a power alternative.

“Our goal at OECC is to help our members receive the lowest cost, most sustainable and most efficient energy available,” said Mark Cayce, CEO/General Manager of Ouachita Electric Cooperative.

Choosing North Little Rock’s Today’s Power, Inc. (TPI) as its energy partner, the agreement with TPI is a win-win for SCSC, OECC, and surrounding school districts. The savings from the purchase power agreement are to be reallocated to services for the local school districts, children and SCSC, and OECC’s local community.

“We are excited to partner with SCSC as they fulfill their mission” said Michael Henderson, President of Today’s Power, Inc. “Embracing leading edge technology so all of their member schools receive benefits of lower cost and contributing to a cleaner environment is sending the right message to the 15,954 students they represent,” he added.

Director Karen Kay McMahen (SCSC) and President Michael Henderson (TPI)

Today’s Power, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based utility service cooperative owned by 17 Arkansas electric distribution cooperatives. Today’s Power, Inc. offers turn-key solar photovoltaic systems, energy storage systems, electric vehicles and charging stations for all sizes and applications.

South Central Service Cooperative is committed to empowering our schools and communities to meet their educational goals by striving toward strong academics, innovative strategies, and knowledge of skills necessary to impact effective citizenship and economic productivity.

Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation is a non-profit rural electric utility cooperative headquartered in Camden, Arkansas, with a district office in Hampton, Arkansas. The Cooperative was organized in 1938. The Cooperative serves portions of five counties in the state of Arkansas, in a territory generally surrounding Camden and Hampton.