US nonprofit coalition Climate United announced $31.8 million in direct financing for the largest commercial and industrial solar deployment in Arkansas’ history. 

Arkansas-headquartered Scenic Hill Solar will be developing the project for the entire University of Arkansas (UA) System, and it will be the fourth-largest university deployment of renewable energy in the US.

The project is Climate United’s first investment from the $6.97 billion it received from the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Investment Fund, which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act. 

“This is a historic moment for solar power development in Arkansas, the Natural State,” said Scenic Hill Solar CEO Bill Halter. “The partnership with Climate United is helping our company build the most ambitious and complex solar power development in Arkansas history.”

Climate United’s new project for UA will build 18 solar farms in 13 utility service territories that are projected to save the UA System over $120 million in energy costs over the next 25 years. The project will generate over 4 billion kWh of clean electricity during the 40-year life of the solar farms. 

The project will “directly benefit” more than 70,000 students and 17,000 employees across multiple campuses. 

The UA System has also launched educational and workforce development initiatives in renewable energy construction and EV repair.

Read more: The US’s largest solar panel maker debuts its $1B Alabama factory

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