Silicon Ranch Corporation and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announce the selection of McCarthy to engineer and construct Silicon Ranch's Highland Industrial Park 12MW AC solar power project that will provide power to Aerojet Rocketdyne and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) in East Camden, Arkansas.
The solar field's construction is expected to support between 250 and 350 direct and indirect jobs, with a direct financial impact estimated to exceed $25 million. McCarthy will provide on-site training in utility-scale solar construction for workers in pile driving, tracker assembly and panel installation.
Corbet Lamkin PhD, Chancellor of Southern Arkansas Technical University and region economic development advocate, is excited about the solar field, and SAUTech faculty have been invited to participate in the training opportunity: "This project will generate not only clean, renewable electricity, but also many other lasting benefits for the entire region."
"In addition to the economic impacts during the construction phase, the solar field helps environmentally contribute to the business case that we believe will favorably position Aerojet Rocketdyne's Camden operations against other highly competitive alternatives," said Gary Vaughan, general manager, Aerojet Rocketdyne Camden.
"This project is on the leading edge of a trend by U.S. industrial companies to commit to clean, renewable energy," said Matt Kisber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Ranch Corporation. "Aerojet Rocketdyne understands that solar is a responsible choice from both environmental and economic considerations. Silicon Ranch is proud to help them achieve that objective, and as a long-term owner we are excited about the benefits this project will bring to the region."
"McCarthy is honored to partner with Silicon Ranch for this solar power project," said Scott Canada, Director of Renewable Energy at McCarthy. "We understand the challenges facing solar facility owners contracting for new solar assets and look forward to providing our expertise in utility solar for successfully building this great project, which will be the largest PV solar installation in Arkansas."