Crooked Lake Solar

Crooked Lake Solar project represents a significant step in the state’s quiet energy transition. Developed not by a national giant but by local utility Entergy Arkansas, this facility signals a strategic shift toward homegrown renewable resources, aiming to provide cost-effective, reliable power while creating new economic opportunities for a rural community.

Significance & Context

The Crooked Lake Solar project is an 81-megawatt (MW) facility located in St. Francis County. As part of Entergy Arkansas’s broader commitment to add over 800 MW of solar generation, this project directly supports the utility’s goals for fuel diversity and emissions reduction. The facility’s output, enough to power approximately 15,000 homes, will be integrated directly into the Entergy grid, serving its customers across the state. This initiative is a key component of the utility’s integrated resource plan, filings for which are available through the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC).

Development Timeline

The project’s development was a multi-year process led by Entergy Arkansas. Initial planning and site selection began in 2020, with a formal announcement to regulators and the public following in 2021. The project successfully navigated the interconnection process with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), a status reflected in the public MISO Generation Interconnection Queue. Construction commenced in early 2023, with Signal Energy serving as the primary engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor. The project reached commercial operation in the first quarter of 2024.

Technology & Innovation

Crooked Lake Solar utilizes a fixed-tilt mounting system for its photovoltaic panels, a reliable and cost-effective solution for the region. A key feature of the project’s design is its focus on environmental co-existence. The site plan includes the establishment of native pollinator habitats around the solar arrays. This approach, supported by research from institutions like the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, promotes biodiversity, supports local food systems by benefiting nearby crops, and reduces the need for intensive mowing, thereby minimizing the project’s operational footprint.

Challenges & Controversies

A primary challenge for the Crooked Lake Solar project was addressing initial local skepticism about the long-term impact of converting agricultural land to a solar farm. Some community members expressed concerns about the visual change and the loss of row-crop production. Entergy Arkansas addressed these concerns through a series of public meetings and by emphasizing the project’s economic benefits, including new tax revenue and landowner payments. The utility’s commitment to the pollinator habitat plan helped reframe the project as an environmentally conscious development, ultimately securing the necessary local permits from the St. Francis County Quorum Court.

Community & Economic Impact

The project provides a tangible economic boost to St. Francis County. During the construction phase, Crooked Lake Solar typically employed over 150 workers, providing temporary jobs and local spending. Over its operational lifetime, the project is projected to generate millions of dollars in new property tax revenue. This revenue will likely contribute significantly to the county’s budget, funding essential services like public schools and road maintenance without requiring tax increases on residents. For the landowners hosting the arrays, the long-term lease agreements provide a stable and predictable source of income, diversifying the rural economy.

Future Outlook

With its commissioning, Crooked Lake Solar becomes a permanent part of Arkansas’s energy infrastructure for the next 30 years. Its success provides a scalable model for future utility-led solar development within the state. The project’s design also allows for potential future expansion or the addition of battery storage technology. As battery costs continue to decline, a trend tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), co-locating storage at Crooked Lake could allow Entergy Arkansas to enhance grid reliability and manage peak electricity demand more effectively in the future.