The state of Arkansas receives a generous amount of sunlight, especially during the summers. According to NASA Atmospheric Data Center, Arkansas’s capital – the city of Little Rock – receives 4.83 peak sun-hours every day. This number increases to 6.03 peak sun-hours during the month of July. A crude estimation of the energy generation capacity is that for every kilowatt of solar panel installed, the consumer will receive up to 5kWh of electricity per day. Hence, the potential for solar energy in Arkansas is quite promising.
Arkansas occupies a position in the middle tier of all US states in terms of solar power generation and installation. Over the years, it has seen a rapid improvement in its ranking. In 2019, Arkansas was ranked 36th by SEIA whereas its current national ranking is at 23rd number.
A snapshot of Arkansas’s solar profile is as follows:
- Installed capacity: 411.8 MW and total no. of installations: 3,429 units
- Solar’s contribution to the state’s energy mix: 0.87%
- No. of Solar Companies in State: 32 (7 Manufacturers, 14 Installers/Developers, 11 Others)
- Total Solar Investment in State: $527 million
- Growth Projection and Ranking: 982 MW over the next 5 years
- Number Of Installations: 3,429
Solar energy is proliferating in Arkansas at a rapid rate. This is happening due to favorable legislation, a business-friendly environment, greater returns on commercial installations, and increased environmental consciousness. Some examples of the positive incentives are:
Unlike other states, Arkansas boasts one of the most user-friendly net metering policies. All surplus energy produced by an individual unit is given 100% credit i.e. the consumer is paid full price for all the extra units exported into the grid. Commercial units can carry credit for multiple months. This means that the energy you take from the grid during winters will be compensated by the surplus produced during summers when the sun shines for some extra hours.
The Arkansas Solar Access Act was passed in 2019. This act removed the ban on solar leasing and power purchase agreements. This enabled renewable energy companies like Entegrity to provide solar solutions across the country.
Arkansas offers a 30% Federal Tax Credit on all solar installations. It means that the consumer pays full price during installation of the system but 30% of the amount can be claimed back upon filing the next tax declaration. This economic incentive has increased the proliferation of solar energy in Arkansas.
While solar energy is one of the most eco-friendly sources of energy, much debate has been made on the disposal of end-of-life solar panels. Experts agree that recycling solar panels is the most eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable method for disposing of end-of-life solar panels.
If you are looking for decommissioning or large-scale Arkansas solar panel recycling solutions, contact We Recycle Solar. We provide recycling solutions for solar panels, batteries, and other equipment. Our processes are safe, efficient, and compliant with all federal and state laws.
Looking for decommissioning or large-scale Arkansas solar panel recycling solutions?
Unless otherwise noted, all data from SEIA/GTM Research U.S. Solar Market Insight