Nashville-based renewable energy provider Silicon Ranch Corporation and the Phoenix-based Renewable Energy Team of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. have selected McCarthy to engineer and construct Silicon Ranch’s Highland Industrial Park 12-Megawatt (MW)AC solar power project that will provide power to Aerojet Rocketdyne and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) in East Camden, Arkansas.
Silicon Ranch, owner and operator of the solar project, selected McCarthy, one of the largest American-owned construction firms, for its extensive track record with utility-scale power projects. McCarthy will expand its renewable operations into Southern Arkansas with plans to secure local subcontractors and craftsmen to provide the bulk of on-site construction work for the 6-month project, beginning Monday, June 8, 2015.
The solar field’s construction is expected to support between 250 and 350 direct and indirect jobs, with a direct financial impact estimated to exceed $25 million dollars. McCarthy will provide on-site training in utility-scale solar construction for workers in pile driving, tracker assembly and panel installation.
Corbet Lamkin PhD, Chancellor of Southern Arkansas Technical University and region economic development advocate is excited about the solar field, and SAUTech faculty have been invited to participate in the training opportunity: “This project will generate not only clean, renewable electricity, but also many other lasting benefits for the entire region.”
“In addition to the economic impacts during the construction phase, the solar field helps environmentally contribute to the business case that we believe will favorably position Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Camden operations against other highly competitive alternatives,” said Gary Vaughan, general manager, Aerojet Rocketdyne Camden.
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Camden facility is a 1,200-acre manufacturing and test facility that serves the U.S. Department of Defense. Electricity from the solar generation facility will directly supplement Aerojet Rocketdyne’s daytime operations. Under a unique set of power purchase agreements, excess electricity generated by the installation will be released to Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) and integrated into the cooperative’s diverse generation portfolio.
“This project is on the leading edge of a trend by U.S. industrial companies to commit to clean, renewable energy,” said Matt Kisber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Ranch Corporation. “Aerojet Rocketdyne understands that solar is a responsible choice from both environmental and economic considerations. Silicon Ranch is proud to help them achieve that objective, and as a long-term owner we are excited about the benefits this project will bring to the region.”
“McCarthy is honored to partner with Silicon Ranch for this solar power project,” said Scott Canada, Director of Renewable Energy at McCarthy. “We understand the challenges facing solar facility owners contracting for new solar assets and look forward to providing our expertise in utility solar for successfully building this great project, which will be the largest PV solar installation in Arkansas.”
