A ‘Happy’ Solar Project Commissioned At Arkansas

• Lightsource bp has commissioned a 135 MW solar farm in White County, Arkansas 
• It is contracted to supply power generated to Conway Corp under a long-term PPA 
• The project uses around 300,000 solar modules from First Solar and trackers from Array 
• The 2 partners have set up a 5-acre pollinator friendly farm on site with 46 native species 

British solar PV projects developer Lightsource bp has brought online a 'happy' 135 MW solar power plant in Arkansas in the US, for Conway Corp. A pollinator friendly project, it says the facility has a 5-acre pollinator garden within the farm. 

The garden, established with the Arkansas Monarch Conservation Partnership, features 46 varieties of native plants, providing habitat and nectar for at-risk monarch butterflies and other pollinators.  

Called Conway Solar at Happy, the solar power plant in White County will supply clean energy generated to Conway Corp. under a long-term power purchase agreement. It will suffice the electricity requirements of 21,000 homes.  

Lightsource bp has financed the $125 million project, equipping it with 295,000 solar modules from First Solar and solar trackers from Array Technologies with steel procured locally as well from Attala Steel. 

While work on the farm began in 2019, construction was started by EPC firm Gibson Technical Services (GTS) in 2022 (see Financial Closure For 480 MW Solar In US).   

Earlier in May 2023, Lightsource bp commissioned a 173 MW DC solar power plant in Indiana, US under a virtual PPA with Verizon. It said the project was part of a research work to assess ecological impact on pollinator species at utility scale solar power plants (see Solar Power For Verizon In USA).