Caraway, Arkansas – Riverside School District “Flipped the Switch” today in an event to celebrate their newly active solar array located on-site at East Elementary School. The district partnered with Little Rock-based-Entegrity to design and install the 739-kW array that will offset 95% of Riverside’s total consumption.
Powering on the array marks the start of big district savings, approximately $44,000 annually or $1.5 million over the project’s lifetime, from reductions in utility and energy costs. In addition to savings, other positive impacts are incurred as the district utilizes renewable energy to cover its electrical consumption. The amount of energy produced by the district’s array annually is equivalent to saving 101,514 gallons of gasoline or powering 176 homes’ electricity for one year.
Jeff Priest, Superintendent of Riverside School District, stated, “By deciding to build a solar array, we have found a way to reduce facility costs while being good stewards. Having this array on school grounds provides students and faculty access to unique learning opportunities and garners the importance of promoting energy efficiency in our community.”
“This project will allow the school to invest in their facilities, students, and staff for years to come. By incorporating student education and energy efficiency in an initiative that also improves the district’s budget, Riverside proves itself as a true leader in the community,” added Rick Vance, Regional Director of Entegrity.
