Ad Calls Unplugged Solar Panels "Government Waste"

A recently released advertisement is heating up controversy on a set of state-owned solar panels.

Back in November, KARK told you about the panels: paid for with tax-dollars two years ago and still not plugged in.

Now, one group is attacking the state, saying the unplugged solar panels are a perfect example of government's wasteful spending.

The solar panels were installed during a renovation at a state building on Capitol Avenue. Officials hoped they would help supplement the energy needs for the building.

They were built using stimulus money at a price tag of more than half a million dollars.

But a legal snafu with Entergy Arkansas is preventing them from being utilized.

Now, the state chapter of a group called "Americans for Prosperity" is specifically targeting these panels in an on-line advertisement. They argue the money could have been better spent.

"Our goal of the video is to simply inform taxpayers of how their dollars are used, how they are spent and try to out some accountability in place for those dollars," said Teresa Oelke with Americans for Prosperity.

The Arkansas Energy Office that championed this project declined an on camera interview with KARK Wednesday but said they are still hopeful the legal issue will be worked out and they will be able to plug in soon.

To see the full advertisement, just click here.

Click here to see KARK's original story on the panels.