The first project report has been submitted to ICMA. We reported these major accomplishments/activities.
- Net metering application has been filed with American Electric Power (AEP).
- Currently refining scope of work needed for City permits and team clarity.
- Professors have begun the student selection process for this project.
- Solar panel analysis is underway. Current market and demand could drive costs down so we are waiting to purchase panels in order to better analyze pricing trends.
- Grant dollars have been received from Arkansas Energy Office to begin development of education kiosk. Currently researching kiosk hardware.
- Information tracking website has been deployed (www.fplsolar.org). This website will be used for marketing, project tracking, and education going forward.
- Solar Test-Bed Project is set to be duplicated by the Arkansas Research & Technology Park. Imitation is the best form of flattery.
What we really achieved this quarter, though, is a truer understanding of the meaning of “partnership.”
We learned that it is necessary to think deeply about the desired partnership outcomes at the start of the project and develop a set of ground rules and tasks to achieve them. When we say “partnership” outcome, we mean that we want to successfully conclude the technical aspects of the project and have had such a good interpersonal experience that we want to partner with the team members again. In short, we want to feel good about the project and the process when it concludes. So what we would tell another community is that you cannot undo a bad experience, but you can build upon a good one. A good one takes some thought, planning and effort right at the start.