Stitt Solar Completes Grant-Funded Arrays for Fort Smith Non-Profits, Demonstrating Significant Energy Cost Reductions
Key Insights
Stitt Solar completed two solar array projects for Fort Smith non-profits, significantly reducing their energy costs with a $360,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant.
The installations for Elizabeth McGill Drop-in Center and Antioch for Youth & Family are part of the 'People Power' initiative, aiding low-income communities.
Antioch's 79.18 kW array cut its bill by over 58%, while Elizabeth McGill's 34.17 kW system reduced its bill by 91%, projecting $115,806 in 25-year savings.
These projects highlight solar energy's proven ability to deliver substantial long-term financial and environmental benefits for various organizations beyond grant funding.
Stitt Solar, the renewable energy division of Rogers-based The Stitt Group, has successfully commissioned two significant solar array projects in Fort Smith, Arkansas. These installations, completed for the non-profit organizations Elizabeth McGill Drop-in Center and Antioch for Youth & Family, were made possible through a substantial $360,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The projects are a cornerstone of the 'People Power – Energy Security & Ownership' initiative, led by the Arkansas Climate League, which aims to alleviate energy burdens in low-income neighborhoods.
The 79.18-kilowatt (kW) solar array at Antioch for Youth & Family, comprising 223 photovoltaic panels, now offsets an impressive 83% of the facility's energy consumption. This has resulted in a dramatic reduction in their monthly utility bill, plummeting from $834.44 to $348.28. Environmentally, this array is projected to prevent emissions equivalent to burning 1.98 million pounds of coal or consuming 202,573 gallons of gasoline annually.
Similarly, the 34.17-kW array installed at the Elizabeth McGill Drop-in Center demonstrates even greater energy independence, offsetting 128% of its energy use. This overproduction capability is expected to generate an estimated $115,806 in savings over the system's 25-year lifespan. The center's utility bill has seen an extraordinary reduction, falling from $676.17 to a mere $55.54. The environmental benefits are equally substantial, equating to the avoidance of 760,529 pounds of coal combustion or 77,705 gallons of gasoline.
David Stitt, CEO of Stitt Solar, emphasized the broader market implications of these successes. "These projects are a testament to how solar energy can help reduce energy costs and lessen dependence on rising utility prices," Stitt stated. He further noted that while these specific installations benefited from grant funding, the inherent long-term savings and return on investment are universally attainable for a diverse range of entities, including non-profits, residential homeowners, and commercial enterprises. Stitt Solar, which maintains a robust team of 15 full-time, in-house employees, is actively engaged with several churches exploring similar transitions to solar power, underscoring the growing recognition of clean energy's financial viability and its capacity to deliver lasting positive impacts within communities.