Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Sourcing Renewables  -  February 14, 2022

Arkansas Projects Implemented to Lower Emissions

The state of Arkansas will lower over one million metric tons of carbon dioxide through a series of energy efficiency and renewable energy public projects.

The city of Rogers, Arkansas State University (ASU), and Washington County are among 22 public organizations that have engaged with Johnson Controls under performance contracts to implement energy-efficient and renewable infrastructure solutions.

The city of Rogers constructed three ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays totaling 4.6 MW and is expected to generate more than 157M kWh or save taxpayers over $15 million in total utility and operations and maintenance. By working under a 20-year performance contract with a 30-year generation warranty on the solar hardware, the city will fix its long-term electricity costs despite local electrical providers' increasing rates.

The ASU system engaged Johnson Controls to address deferred maintenance and provide sustainable solutions across eight other ASU System campus locations. The combined $39  million in capital improvements included installing LED lighting throughout campuses, implementing energy management controls, upgrading water conservation solutions in residence halls and other facilities, upgrading HVAC and central plant technologies, and investing in solar PV facilities at ASU-Newport. The updates are expected to save the ASU system more than 611M kWh worth of electricity and $110 million in total utility and O&M costs.

As the first county in Arkansas to invest in solar through a performance contract, Washington County is moving toward 100% renewable energy. The county installed two solar PV arrays, a 1.6 MW ground mount, and a half-megawatt solar rooftop array. Johnson Controls also retrofitted more than 3,200 lighting fixtures with LED lights, replaced 53 HVAC assets, and installed energy management controls countywide. Washington County is expected to reduce its energy consumption by over 161M kWh and save almost $21 million in energy and O&M costs.

"Our partnerships across Arkansas are a perfect example of how public entities can support ambitious sustainability goals," said Nate Manning, president of Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls in a statement. "Through creative funding solutions, public organizations can make much-needed infrastructure updates that enrich their communities while reducing costs and meeting decarbonization goals. We are eager to see how these customers innovate and inspire similar organizations to join the race to cut emissions and save capital."

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