The University of Arkansas unveiled a major solar energy project today as part of what officials called one of the largest renewable energy investments in state history.The system comes as energy demand and prices continue to rise, and university officials said the 25-year project is designed to help manage long-term costs while expanding renewable energy use across the state.The initiative is a multi-site solar project that includes about 20 solar facilities across Arkansas, with six currently online. One of the operational sites, located on North Riches Drive in Fayetteville, includes about 1,200 solar panels and is already producing energy for the university. “The first is an opportunity for the University of Arkansas to save money … and because it’s a public institution funded by Arkansas taxpayers, when the university saves money, taxpayers save money,” said Bill Halter, CEO of Scenic Hill Solar. “There’s an incredible explosion in demand for electricity … prices are going up because there’s a shortage of generation, it also helps keep prices lower.”Students said the project is also connecting to academic work and research on campus, particularly in environmental science.”A lot of our research focuses on solar, including habitat assessments—even studies on box turtles,” said Julia Mizner, an environmental science major at the university. “I think this will help support those types of projects.”University officials said savings from the project are expected to help cover future increases in utility costs.”It’s a much cleaner way to generate electricity,” Halter said. “Compared to coal-fired generation, it’s going to be a lot cleaner and a lot healthier.”All 20 sites are projected to be online by the end of next year.