The Prairie Mist Solar Plant is a utility-scale solar installation in Ashley County, developed to provide consistent renewable power into the regional grid over its operating life. Built with a capacity of 100 MWac (approximately 109.2 MWdc), the facility entered commercial service in August 2024, transitioning from construction into full-scale energy production. Developed by Primergy Solar, the project interconnects with the Entergy transmission network within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) system, contributing solar generation to a multi-state wholesale electricity market.

Electricity generated by the plant is contracted under a long-term agreement with Amazon, ensuring predictable offtake while supporting corporate clean energy targets. At its designed output, the facility produces enough electricity annually to match the consumption of approximately 22,000 households. The asset is owned and operated through Prairie Mist Solar Project, LLC, a dedicated entity under Primergy Solar, reflecting a common structure for managing utility-scale renewable assets.

Construction of the project was delivered by Primoris Renewable Energy, which handled engineering, procurement, and construction activities. The buildout phase supported around 200 jobs, providing a temporary boost to the local workforce. Over the long term, the project is expected to generate about $10 million in tax revenues for the county, reinforcing its role as a source of public funding in addition to energy supply. Community-focused contributions were also incorporated, including investment in school infrastructure such as an accessible playground and shaded outdoor space at Hamburg High School.

Project financing was completed in 2023 through a $300 million package combining debt and tax equity, led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and PNC Bank. This financing approach reflects standard practice in U.S. solar development, where institutional capital and tax incentives are used to support large-scale deployment. Within the broader context of Arkansas’s energy system, Prairie Mist Solar adds non-fossil generation capacity, contributing to a gradual shift toward a more diversified and lower-emission electricity mix.

Prairie Mist Solar Project Construction

The Prairie Mist Solar Project was developed in line with its original delivery timeline, reflecting schedule certainty from financial close through commissioning. Following the completion of financing and the start of construction activities in late 2023, the project was consistently targeted for entry into service in 2024. This alignment between planned and executed milestones illustrates effective project management and coordination among stakeholders, including Primergy Solar and its delivery partners, within the broader regulatory and grid framework of Midcontinent Independent System Operator.

Although physical construction of the facility was substantially completed by August 2024, the project underwent final commissioning, testing, and grid integration processes before reaching full operational status. Commercial operation was ultimately achieved in December 2024, marking the point at which the project began sustained electricity delivery under its long-term agreement with Amazon. This phased transition—from construction completion to full operational certification—reflects standard practice for utility-scale solar assets as they move from buildout into stable, long-term generation.

Utility-scale installations in Arkansas

As part of Arkansas’s operating solar fleet, the Prairie Mist Solar Project holds a position among the state’s larger utility-scale installations. As of May 2026, it ranks as the eighth-largest solar facility in Arkansas by installed capacity, reflecting both the scale of its 100 MWac design and the broader growth of solar generation across the state. Its placement within the regional portfolio highlights the steady expansion of grid-connected renewable assets serving the Midcontinent Independent System Operator market.

Measured by output, the project has demonstrated consistent generation performance since entering service. During the reporting period from November 2025 through February 2026, Prairie Mist Solar produced approximately 39.1 GWh of net electricity, reinforcing its role as a high-performing contributor within Arkansas’s solar sector. This level of production places it among the more productive facilities in the state, supporting ongoing energy supply while contributing to the diversification of regional generation resources.

Beyond existing operational assets such as Prairie Mist, a new wave of large-scale solar developments is advancing across Arkansas, signaling continued momentum in the state’s transition toward a more diversified and lower-emission energy mix. Among these is the 250 MW Cypress Knee Solar Project in Chicot County, a utility-scale installation that underscores the increasing role of corporate-backed renewable procurement. The project has secured a long-term power purchase agreement with Meta, reflecting sustained demand from major technology firms for clean energy to support their operations. Together, projects of this scale complement the state’s existing solar fleet, reinforcing Arkansas’s position as an emerging hub for utility-scale renewable energy development within the broader Midcontinent Independent System Operator market.

Prairie Mist Solar  — Key Facts

• Location: Ashley County
• Capacity: 100 MWac (109.2 MWdc)
• Status: Operational (commercial operation achieved December 2024)
• Developer/Owner: Primergy Solar
• Offtaker: Amazon (power purchase agreement)
• EPC Contractor: Primoris Renewable Energy
• Grid Connection: Entergy system within Midcontinent Independent System Operator
• Financing: $300 million (led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and PNC Bank)
• Output: 22,000 homes equivalent annually
• Economic Impact: $10 million in lifetime local tax revenue
• Community Investment: School infrastructure support (Hamburg High School)
• State Position: Among the larger solar facilities in Arkansas (top 10 by capacity)

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