Treaty Oak Clean Energy Breaks Ground on 100-Megawatt Redfield Solar Project in Grant County

Treaty Oak Clean Energy, LLC of Austin, Texas, alongside local officials, economic development leaders, and community leaders, celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 100-megawatt Redfield Solar Project on Wednesday. The milestone marks a significant step toward advancing renewable energy and economic development in Grant County and Arkansas.

Spanning 1,033 acres in southeastern Grant County, the solar facility will create approximately 200 construction jobs and generate more than $10 million in property tax revenue over its lifespan. The project’s total energy output—enough to power about 18,000 homes—will be purchased by a single offtaker through a long-term power purchase agreement. Commercial operations are slated to begin in the first half of 2026.

Advancing Arkansas’ Energy Future

The Redfield Solar Project will expand Arkansas’ power generation capacity at a time when affordable, reliable electricity is more critical than ever for businesses and families. By diversifying the state’s energy mix, the project will provide cost-effective, dependable power while driving economic growth in the local community.

“This project is much more than a solar facility,” said Chris Elrod, co-founder and CEO of Treaty Oak Clean Energy. “It’s a significant investment in the people, businesses, and future of Grant County. From the beginning, our goal has been to be a good neighbor—working closely with county leaders, local businesses, and residents to ensure this project benefits the entire community.”

During construction, the Redfield Solar Project will provide jobs for heavy equipment operators, solar installers, electricians, and other skilled laborers. Primoris Services Corporation’s Renewable Energy business will lead construction, with high-voltage services provided by Dashiell Corp. Once operational, the project will provide two to three long-term, high-paying jobs for ongoing operations and maintenance.

Economic and Community Benefits

The Grant County government and local community services will see substantial benefits from the project’s tax revenue contributions.

“We’re glad to welcome Treaty Oak Clean Energy to Grant County for this important project,” said Grant County Judge Randy Pruitt. “Their investment will bring in steady tax revenue that will go toward fixing roads, strengthening our schools, and keeping essential services running for our community.”

As part of its commitment to the community, Treaty Oak presented a $100,000 donation to Grant County Library Director Jessica Reeves and Judge Pruitt to support the renovation of the Grant County Library.

Prioritizing Arkansas-Sourced Materials

The Redfield Solar Project will incorporate Arkansas-manufactured materials, strengthening local supply chains and maximizing economic benefits across the state. The steel for the advanced Nextracker NX Horizon-XTR terrain-following solar tracker systems will be sourced from U.S. Steel’s Big River Steel Mill in Osceola, while key components such as connectors and harnesses will be supplied by Premier PV in Crossett.

“By sourcing materials from right here in Arkansas, we are supporting the local industries and workforce that make projects like this possible,” said Chris Elrod, CEO of Treaty Oak Clean Energy. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to the state’s economy and the long-term benefits that clean energy development can bring to communities.”

“Nextracker is honored to partner with Treaty Oak for the Redfield Solar Project providing high-performing solar trackers with advanced NX Horizon Hail Pro and TrueCapture yield optimization software,” said Dan Shugar, founder and CEO, Nextracker. “By using Nextracker systems with locally sourced steel from Osceola, Arkansas, the Redfield project not only supports local jobs and economic growth in the region but also adds energy to the grid to support growing power demand.”

Project Financing and Technology

The Redfield Solar Project is being financed with a $123 million package, including a construction-to-term loan, a tax credit bridge loan, and a letter of credit facility, backed by CIBC, Crédit Agricole CIB, and ING Capital LLC. The facility will feature terrain-following solar tracker systems with Hail Pro technology, enhancing its efficiency and durability.

David Sorg, Vice President of Solar at Primoris Renewable Energy, underscored the project’s impact on job creation.

“The Redfield Solar Project represents a significant step forward for Arkansas’ clean energy industry,” Sorg said. “We’re proud to lead the construction effort, creating jobs for local workers and delivering a high-quality solar facility that will provide renewable, reliable power for years to come.”

Rob Martin, Senior Vice President of Dashiell Corp., emphasized the importance of high-voltage infrastructure in large-scale solar projects. 

“A reliable grid is key to ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy reach homes and businesses,” Martin said. “Dashiell Corp. is proud to support the Redfield Solar Project with our expertise in high-voltage services, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable integration of solar power into the state’s energy system.”

“From job creation to increased tax revenue, the Redfield Solar Project will have a robust economic impact on Grant County for decades to come,” Elrod said. “We’re proud to be part of this community and look forward to seeing the long-term benefits this project will bring.”

Treaty Oak Clean Energy | treatyoakcleanenergy.com