Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corp. of Camden, Ark., is planning to request a 4.5% electric rate decrease to reflect cost savings from solar power, the Arkansas Business Publishing Group reported.
CEO Mark Cayce announced the plan during the Arkansas Advanced Energy Awards on Oct. 8.
Cayce said solar power significantly lowers the amount of electricity the cooperative needs to purchase at premium prices during peak hours in summer, according to the report.
In 2016, Ouachita Electric partnered with Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc. for a 12-MW solar array in East Camden, Ark. The cooperative provided technical support, guidance and expertise in power production and delivery for the project.
The cooperative also built its own community solar station outside its Camden headquarters and has partnered with Today's Power Inc. on a project at Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden.
