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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ozarks Electric Cooperative Solar Generation Facility Fully Operational; Renewable Energy Program Offering for Members Announced Fayetteville, Ark. – Ozarks Electric Cooperative today celebrated Earth Day with the addition of Arkansas’ first utility-scale, member-owned solar generation facility to their distribution system. The 4,080 solar panels will produce more than two million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power up to 150-200 homes. Energy produced by the facility will be offered to members through Ozarks Natural Energy, a low-cost alternative solution to rooftop solar installations, via the purchase of shares of the facility’s output. Participating members will receive a monthly credit on their electric bill for the energy produced by each purchased share. As electric rates change, members’ credits will change as well. The program offers members an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of renewal energy without the cost and difficulty of purchasing, installing and maintaining their own solar panels. “The beauty of this offering is that our members can capitalize on the economic efficiencies of a utility-scale project,” said Troy Scarbrough, vice president of engineering and operations at Ozarks Electric. “This project will also be a wonderful educational tool for our cooperative, and we look forward to all of the opportunities it will provide.” The environmental aspects of the facility are also significant. The facility is expected to offset more than 43,000 tons of CO2 emissions over its lifetime. Annually, the facility will reduce the equivalent of the amount of greenhouse emissions that 319 average cars would produce in a year. Further, it would take more than 1,200 acres of U.S. forest to reduce the same amount of CO2 in a year. “We pride ourselves on being good environmental stewards,” said Mitchell Johnson, Ozarks Electric president/CEO. “This facility is yet another example of our commitment to bringing our members services that make a positive and significant impact on the communities we serve.” Members can learn more about Ozarks Natural Energy, including pricing information and more details about the facility, at www.ozarksecc.com/ONE. Ozarks Electric, incorporated in 1938, is a member-owned electric cooperative, serving more than 70,000 meters across nine counties in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma. For more information about Ozarks Electric, visit the cooperative’s website at www.ozarksecc.com. # # # Press Contacts: |
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