2020 in Hindsight: A Year in Review

It goes without saying that this year saw unprecedented challenges and many changes. Yet despite setbacks felt worldwide, solar surged forward in a big way, growing over 22% through the coronavirus pandemic and continuing to lead the way to a clean energy future. Solar not only persevered in 2020 but thrived. For this, we’re incredibly grateful and humbled.

It is because of the continued dedication and hard work of its leadership and team members and the support of our customers and partners that RP Construction Services had another landmark year.

With a record number of projects and installed capacity in 2020, RPCS continued its rapid growth trajectory, outpacing the industry and remaining one of the nation’s leading contractors.

RPCS completed its scope on over 1GW spanning over 230 projects in 20 states—a 57% increase in number of projects and a 134% increase in capacity over 2019 numbers. To date, RPCS has completed over 700 projects and more than 2GW.

Here’s a look back at some of the year’s highlights.

 

RPCS is unique for its people and its process. At the center of its accomplishment, RPCS not only expanded its team significantly but continued to elevate and invest in these team members through training, development, and new individual opportunities within its workforce. RPCS is always striving to create career paths and opportunities that allow each member to shine individually. RPCS’ team grew stronger, realized the value of improved collaboration, and how to better serve the utility market—the driving force behind solar’s explosive growth this year.

Beyond welcoming new members and expending efforts on training and development, RPCS took its project delivery system to the next level. RPCS announced in May the opening of a new logistics facility in Kosciusko, Mississippi, now the third facility operated by the company. The facility rests on ten acres, comprised of two warehouse facilities and a stocking yard spanning 100,000 square feet. The facility includes two solar arrays for demonstration and training purposes. In addition to added supply chain enhancement, the new facility will ensure greater inventory accuracy and improved deployment of both materials and serviced equipment and tools.

This new facility led to enhanced kitting and streamlined project delivery, further attesting to RPCS’ ability to effectively manage multiple simultaneous projects across the country. RPCS’ experience as the market’s first contractor in the utility space to pre-kit the Array tracker significantly streamlines assembly of the Array tracker while assembly remains quality controlled by RPCS’ Array tracker experts. Moreover, by using innovative technology specialized for project delivery, RPCS helps ensure critical timelines are met and the highest quality standards are maintained. This delivery process provides accurate project insights in real time, improves project economics, and creates a high degree of visibility into all stages of the installation process. Stay tuned as RPCS begins to allow other contractors, subcontractors, and installers access to this delivery system.

Among other notable achievements was the company’s recognition as a Top Solar Contractor for the third year in a row by Solar Power World Magazine, the industry’s leading resource for news and information regarding solar PV installation, development, and technology. RPCS achieved a rank of No. 13 overall, out of more than 400 solar firms. RPCS also ranks at No. 5 in the Installation Subcontractor category and No. 11 in the Utility Subcontractor category, as well as No. 1 in Arkansas, No. 5 in South Carolina, No. 7 in California, No. 8 in Colorado, No. 11 in North Carolina, among other top state rankings.

A number of RP Construction Service’s 2021 projects are already breaking ground. The solar industry, according to experts, is poised to see a “wild ride” in 2021, and RPCS is at the forefront, prepared for brighter days ahead.

 

CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS:

 

Follow the Sun: A Look at the Benefits of Tracking Technology
If you’re not already tracking, here’s why you should:
READ MORE >

One Bifacial Module or Two? In-Depth Performance Analysis of 1MIP Versus 2MIP on Single-Axis Solar Trackers
2MIP doesn’t mean twice the output. Here’s why:
READ MORE >

Bifacial Modules + Solar Trackers: 1MIP vs. 2MIP on Single-Axis Solar Trackers
In case the above article didn’t answer all your questions of why 1MIP is superior to 2MIP when tracking, here’s more:
READ MORE >

RPCS and Indiana Municipal Power Agency Partner to Complete over 85MW of Solar Tracker Projects
READ MORE >

Continental Energy Solutions Podcast with Tim Montague
RPCS Director of Marketing Bri Bruce talks bifacial module technology, solar trackers in 1MIP versus 2MIP, and the “power couple” that is RPCS and Array Technologies, Inc.
READ MORE >

Solar Arrays to be Installed for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems
RPCS will provide mechanical installation services for Today’s Power, Inc. Project
READ MORE >

RPCS and Knobelsdorff Partner for a 17MW Portfolio
This portfolio will supply 14 communities in Minnesota with clean, renewable energy:
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RP Construction Services to Build 185MW Pflugerville Solar Project in Travis County, Texas
RPCS will perform the mechanical installation:
READ MORE>

Hailstorms + Solar Trackers: All Hail the DuraTrack HZ V3 Single-Axis Solar Tracker from Array Technologies
There’s only one choice in technology when deploying solar trackers in regions with inclement weather—specifically hailstorms, which are arguably the most damaging—and this is why.
READ MORE>

Array Technologies Announces a 1GW Purchase Agreement with RP Construction Services
Array Technologies partners with leading design-build contractor to bring advanced solar tracker technology to the distributed generation market:
READ MORE >

 

Array Technologies announces a 1GW purchase agreement with RP Construction Services

Partnering with Leading Design-Build Contractor to Bring Advanced Solar Tracker Technology to the Distributed Generation Market

 

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – 30 November 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Array Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRY) (“Array”) today announced it has entered into an agreement to supply 1GW of DuraTrack® HZ v3 single-axis solar trackers to RP Construction Services, Inc. (“RPCS”). RPCS provides design-build services for small and medium-sized ground-mounted solar energy projects across the U.S. and is the leading contractor for solar energy projects under 25 MWs.

“The endorsement of the segment-leading contractor for distributed energy projects underscores both the strength of our product offering and the value our trackers can create for projects of all sizes. The small-utility, municipal, medium-sized commercial and community solar markets are growing rapidly, and collaborating with RPCS to address this segment of the market should further accelerate our growth in the U.S.  I am also pleased that this order follows on the Lightsource bp purchase agreement announced earlier this month making it the second order over 1 GW that we have received in the past 30 days” said Jim Fusaro, Chief Executive Officer of Array.

“We are incredibly excited about expanding our relationship with Array. They have the best system in the marketplace in terms of ease of installation, reliability, and durability. We have more than tripled the size of our company with their products over the past three years, and we look forward to continuing that growth with this agreement,” said Eb Russell, Chief Executive Officer of RPCS.

 

About Array Technologies, Inc.
Array Technologies is a leading global technology company providing tracker solutions and services for utility-scale solar energy projects as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ground-mounting systems. With efficient installation and terrain flexibility coupled with high reliability, durability, and performance, Array delivers a lower levelized cost of energy. The Company’s focus on innovation, combined with its customer-centric approach, has helped achieve some of the industry’s best returns. Array Technologies is headquartered in the United States with offices in Europe, Central America, and Australia. Contact us at arraytechinc.com or view our LinkedIn page.

About RPCS
RPCS provides turnkey design and installation services for ground-mounted solar energy projects in the U.S. with a focus on the distributed generation market. The Company has completed more than 700 projects, representing 2 GW of generation capacity, since 2015. RPCS combines a team-oriented culture that values all employees with innovative, tech-enabled work practices to deliver projects of all sizes on-spec and on-time. RPCS has approximately 250 employees and maintains offices in California, Mississippi and Texas. Connect with RPCS on LinkedIn or view our website at stgrpcs.wpengine.com.

 

See the original press release published on Array Technologies’ website: https://arraytechinc.com/1gw-purchase-agreement-with-rpcs/

 

 

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections regarding its business, operations and other factors relating thereto. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward looking statements. These statements are only predictions and as such are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements as a result of a number of factors.

Lamesa Solar Facility Project Wins Utility Scale Category of the 2017 Solar Builder’s Project of the Year Award

Array Technologies and Renewable Energy Systems’ Lamesa Solar Facility Project Wins Utility Scale Category of the 2017 Solar Builder’s Project of the Year Award

 

Lamesa Solar Facility Project of the Year Award
The Lamesa Solar Facility in Lamesa, Texas, belongs to one of the largest utility-scale solar portfolios in the state.

RPCS is proud to announce the achievement of our partner, Array Technologies, and solar developer Renewable Energy Systems (with whom RPCS has recently partnered for distributed generation solar tracking projects). A congratulations is in order for their win of the 2017 Solar Builder Project of the Year Award in the utility scale category.

The Lamesa Solar Facility in Lamesa, Texas, belongs to one of the largest utility-scale solar portfolios in Texas, consisting of 410,000 solar panels that provide 131 MW of clean power to 15,000 local homes. Although poor weather threatened the delivery and installation schedule immediately after breaking ground, the tracker systems were delivered on time with a high degree of efficiency and seamless project logistics.

Utilizing Array Technologies’ DuraTrack HZ v3, RES’s teams installed around 80 tracker rows per working day, completing the project with 25 percent fewer onsite workers in comparison to other solar tracking projects of similar size and scope. Originally expecting a 15-day commissioning period, RES commissioned in just 10 days, completing the project.

Developer: BNB Renewables Energy Holdings, Renewable Energy Systems (RES)
Contractor: Renewable Energy Systems (RES)
Modules: Trina Solar
Mounting: Array Technologies

View the complete list of this year’s winners here.

RPCS Partners with Renesola Power Services on Portfolio of North Carolina Projects

RPCS Partners with Renesola Power Services on Portfolio of North Carolina Projects

 

Renesola ATI RPCS NC
In a few short weeks, this will be a 2MW Array DuraTrack HZ v3 Tracker site as part of the portfolio of North Carolina projects.

Monterey, California (October 1, 2017) — RP Construction Services Inc. (RPCS), Array Technologies Inc.’s Value Added Reseller and leading installer for projects 10MW (AC) and under celebrates the kick off of another portfolio of single axis tracker projects, partnering with Renesola Power Services. The partnership will include the tracker procurement and mechanical construction of 7 sites, all commencing simultaneously.

RPCS is proud to partner with Renesola Power and Solvida Energy to present a seamless project experience from design through commissioning. Having completed multiple projects in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, RPCS is excited to break ground in the North Carolina market. As the development of solar projects continues to grow throughout the Southeast, RPCS and Array offer a trusted, reliable solution with the industry’s lowest fielded cost while providing national EPCs a turnkey tracker solution.

RPCS designs and builds ground mount solar projects using the industry’s gold standard for quality, the Array Technologies DuraTrack® HZ v3 Single-Axis Tracker. With over 275 MW and over 150 projects completed or under construction throughout states including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Indiana, and the southeastern states mentioned above, RPCS provides full turnkey service and support for the industry’s most bankable and reliable tracker.

RPCS provided customers attending last month’s Solar Power International (SPI) a live demo of Array’s DuraTrack® HZ v3 system, optimized for both standard 72-cell and First Solar module applications. RPCS was proud to represent Array’s innovative product, reconnecting and meeting with both current and future customers. Together, RPCS and Array continue to bring DuraTrack® HZ v3 to more distributed generation projects and portfolios throughout the country at the best price in the industry.

 

About RP Construction Services, Inc.:
RPCS’s expert knowledge of Array Technologies’ trackers ensures world class turnkey project assistance including site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker supply, foundation post procurement, and complete mechanical installation. The team at RPCS provides reliable support at every step of the project, delivering a level of quality and efficiency that parallels ATI’s market reputation. For more information about RPCS, please visit rpcs.com or call us at (646) 831-0663. 

About Array Technologies, Inc.:
Array Technologies, Inc. is the leading solar tracking solutions and services provider for utility-scale projects. With efficient installation and high reliability, durability and performance, Array delivers the best project returns in the industry. Array’s DuraTrack HZ v3 has been optimized through 28 years of experience and 13,000 miles of installed tracker products. Array Technologies is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM. For more information, please visit arraytechinc.com.