Solar developer Lightsource bp has successfully concluded the construction of the 135MW Conway Solar at Happy project in White County, Arkansas, in partnership with state utility company Conway Corp.
This notable achievement represents a substantial investment of $125 million, the financing for which was secured earlier this year as part of a broader portfolio agreement with Wells Fargo.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) has been firmly established between Lightsource bp and Conway Corp, ensuring that Conway will be the sole beneficiary of the plant's entire electricity generation capacity to support its operations in Arkansas. While Lightsource played a pivotal role in the development, construction, and financing of the project, it will continue to retain ownership and operation responsibilities.
The site is equipped with 295,000 thin film cadmium telluride modules from Arizona-based First Solar, alongside cutting-edge trackers from Array Technologies and steel components from Attala Steel, all sourced from US manufacturers. Earlier this year, Lightsource inked a significant 4GW supply agreement with First Solar for its Series 7 modules, slated for delivery between 2026 and 2028.
A unique feature of the Conway Solar at Happy project is its co-location with a five-acre native pollinator garden, aimed at supporting local wildlife, including the endangered Monarch butterfly. The garden boasts an impressive array of over 46 varieties of native plants.
Bret Carroll, CEO of Conway Corp, expressed his pride in the project's completion, highlighting its significance as one of the most substantial endeavors undertaken by the company since its inception in 1929. He stated, “I'm proud of the team that worked on this project and the way it fulfills key parts of our mission by providing reliable and environmentally sound electricity to our community. I also appreciate our partnership with Lightsource bp; they have been great partners from the very beginning.”
Lightsource bp, the solar generation arm of the energy giant bp, recently entered into a power purchase agreement with a fashion and textiles conglomerate, furthering their commitment to supporting the decarbonization efforts of clothing companies across Europe. This deal is structured as a collective virtual PPA (CVPPA), allowing participating companies, though mostly unnamed in the agreement, to remotely compensate Lightsource for the electricity, eliminating the need for direct transmission.
