Harnessing the Sun for Sustainable Savings
Mountain View School District is located in Mountain View, Arkansas, and provides early childhood, elementary and secondary education for over 1,700 students in PreK – 12 across five buildings. It had a vision: to create a more sustainable future while reducing energy costs. Facing rising utility expenses, the district sought a solution that would provide long-term savings and operational efficiency. In July 2021, they took a bold step by investing in a solar energy system designed to offset their energy costs, freeing up resources to reinvest in students and staff.
The District partnered with Performance Services to design a solar array that would meet its energy needs and qualify for net metering. A 949 kW ground-mounted system was installed on the Mountain View High School campus and energized in August 2022.
But in the spring of 2023, an unexpected challenge arose. A powerful storm, bringing hail the size of soccer balls, swept through the district, damaging 75% of the solar panels. This unforeseen setback threatened the district’s progress toward energy savings.
Determined to maintain their commitment to solar energy, Mountain View School District partnered with us again for a Phase 2 project. The damaged solar panels were removed and replaced while ensuring the energy output remained consistent to protect the District’s net metering agreement. This required a precise approach—rebuilding the entire solar array without exceeding or diminishing its original energy production. The array was back online in Spring 2024. With its solar energy system back in action, Mountain View continues to benefit from lower utility costs while setting an example of environmental stewardship for its students and community.
Project Highlights
- 949 kW ground mount solar array at the High School campus
