Insights > Searcy Solar Set to Begin Turning Sunshine into Electricity in December

Searcy Solar Set to Begin Turning Sunshine into Electricity in December
By: David Lewis • Senior Communications Specialist

06/11/2021

Panel by photovoltaic panel, Searcy Solar is coming together.
Panel by photovoltaic panel, Searcy Solar is coming together.

Construction of the Searcy Solar power generating plant is about 42% complete. When the facility goes online by the end of this year, it will have a capacity of 100 megawatts of emission-free power. 

Searcy Solar will have a feature new to the Entergy Arkansas solar energy fleet: an array of lithium-ion batteries on site to store up to 30 megawatt hours of electricity to be used when the sun isn’t shining. 

Located on 800 acres near Eastline Road in Searcy, it will be the third project generating solar energy for Entergy Arkansas’ customers, bringing the total amount of solar power to 281 megawatts generated from panels covering more than 2,000 acres – enough to power about 45,000 homes. 

The Searcy Solar facility has brought 200 temporary construction jobs to the area, as well as two or three permanent jobs, along with periodic maintenance workers. It also will provide about $700,000 in annual property taxes as well as environmental benefits through emissions-free energy. 

Unlike the other two solar projects, which are owned and operated by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, Searcy will be built by NextEra Energy Resources and owned by Entergy Arkansas.

Tags
Arkansas  AR Reliability  AR Solar  Battery Storage  Power Generation  Renewable Energy  Solar Energy 
David Lewis
Senior Communications Specialist
Related articles
Sterlington Station: A ‘mighty power giant’ that grew Louisiana 100 years ago
Entergy’s founder, Harvey Couch, sought to power assets in three states during the 1920s, including North Louisiana. He created two companies, one of which constructed Sterlington Station, a power plant that met the growing demand for electricity and supported economic growth.
Read more
Entergy Arkansas offers generous support for Ozarka Technical Center
Ozarka College Foundation recently received a $100,000 commitment from Entergy Arkansas.
Read more
Third-generation Entergy Arkansas employee to be honored as Lineman of the Game
Even at a young age, Andy Frugé knew he wanted to work for Entergy. Frugé grew up watching his father and grandfather work for the company and says they were his inspiration.
Read more