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Energix, RPCS Partner to Complete over 90MW of Solar Tracker Projects

Posted on by Bri Bruce

EnergixMonterey, CALIF., April 20, 2021 — RPCS has partnered with Energix for the installation of trackers at three of Energix’s solar projects, Hollyfield II (17MW), Mt. Jackson (22MW), Buckingham II (28MW), and Leatherwood (25MW), and intends to collaborate on two additional projects, totaling approximately 50MW.

Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and one of the state’s leading solar energy players, Energix US, LLC, is an independent power producer that develops, constructs, owns and operates renewable energy projects. Energix is the subsidiary of an Israeli publicly traded company Energix – Renewable Energies Ltd. (TASE:ENRG), the largest renewable energy company in Israel, with a portfolio of more than 3.4GW, including more than 400MW in commercial operation.

RPCS, a trusted partner of leading solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies, Inc., will be installing Array’s DuraTrack HZ v3 single-axis solar tracker for Energix’s three projects. Array trackers keep the solar PV modules following the sun on its course throughout the day, optimizing energy gains and ensuring up to a 20 to 25 percent increase in energy production over fixed-tilt systems.

“We are so thrilled to work with Energix on their Virginia portfolio and to support their growth in the U.S.,” says Alex Smith, Chief Sales Officer of RPCS. “Itamar and his team are exceptional partners and we share their focus on delivering the highest quality projects. We’re looking forward to Energix’s continued success and are honored to have the opportunity to be their partner.”

“We are proud to partner with RPCS in the goal of delivering more clean energy to the Commonwealth of Virginia and see this partnership as another milestone in our commitment to the US market,” says Itamar Sarussi, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Energix. “Energix procures the vast majority of our equipment and construction work here in the U.S., in keeping with our goal to create local jobs and benefits for the communities where we operate, and to fulfill our vision as a breakthrough global green utility, committed to our future on the planet.”

 

RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) provides turnkey design, structural engineering, procurement/supply, mechanical installation, and specialty services to EPC contractors, developers, and municipal utilities. As the nation’s leading contractor and single-axis tracker expert, RPCS has completed more than 700 projects, totaling over 2GW, and helps customers meet their renewable energy goals with simple, seamless project execution. Connect with RPCS on LinkedIn or learn more at stgrpcs.wpengine.com.

Energix uses its financial stability and extensive project experience to build projects that create long-term value for local communities, landowners, stakeholders and the environment. Energix currently has more than 80MW in commercial operation in the US, with another 1GW of renewable energy projects currently in construction or development across the US.  For more information visit www.energix-group.com.

 

 

RPCS VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE AND Q&A

Posted on by Bri Bruce

Join RPCS for a Virtual Open House!

RPCS will be sharing a technical presentation, covering topics like frost heave and snow load mitigation.

Stay after the presentation for a Q&A, where attendees can submit their questions and get detailed answers from our experts.

Tune in March 25th, 2021 at 11am PST

Register here

 

About RPCS

RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) provides turnkey design, structural engineering, procurement/supply, mechanical installation, and specialty services to EPCs, developers, and municipal utilities. As the nation’s leading contractor and single-axis tracker expert, RPCS has completed more than 700 projects, totaling over 2GW, and helps customers meet their renewable energy goals with simple, seamless project execution. Connect with RPCS on LinkedIn or view our website at stgrpcs.wpengine.com.

Duke Energy Renewables, REC Solar, RPCS Help Firestone Walker Brewing Company Go Solar

Posted on by Bri Bruce

firestone walkerMonterey, CALIF. January 15, 2021 – REC Solar and Duke Energy Renewables, non-regulated affiliates of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), announced this week the completion of a solar array developed with RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) for the Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

The 2.1 MW system sits on 9.7 acres of land adjacent to the Firestone Walker Brewing Company facility in Paso Robles, California, and is one of the largest on-site solar arrays in the craft beer industry. The array will generate roughly 4,055 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity every year, offsetting a majority of the facility’s overall energy use—enough to brew six million cases of beer annually.

REC Solar designed and built the solar project working with RPCS, one of the nation’s leading solar contractors, to supply and install the array, which features DuraTrack HZ V3 single-axis solar trackers from Array Technologies. The trackers keep the solar PV modules following the sun on its course throughout the day, optimizing energy gains and ensuring up to a 20 to 25% increase in energy production over fixed-tilt systems.

Duke Energy Renewables provided Firestone Walker financing through a 25-year power purchase agreement.

The solar array is a crucial means to lessen Firestone Walker’s carbon footprint as part of their sustainability program (https://stories.firestonebeer.com/sustainability/), which includes utilizing materials that are 100 percent recycled, and feeding spent grains and yeast to local livestock.

Project planning began in late 2016, with groundbreaking in April 2020. In addition to the solar arrays, the project includes utility substation upgrades that will make it easier for other local organizations seeking to go solar to tap into the power of renewable energy.

 

 

RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) provides turnkey design, structural engineering, procurement/supply, mechanical installation, and specialty services to EPCs, developers, and municipal utilities. As the nation’s leading contractor and single-axis tracker expert, RPCS helps customers meet their renewable energy goals with simple, seamless project execution. Connect with RPCS on LinkedIn or view our website at stgrpcs.wpengine.com.

Duke Energy Renewables, nonregulated unit of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., with a total electric capacity of 3,000 megawatts. The power is sold to electric utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, and commercial and industrial customers. The unit also operates energy storage and microgrid projects. REC Solar is a business unit of Duke Energy Renewables. Visit www.duke-energy.com/renewable-energy and recsolar.com for more information.

Firestone Walker is an innovative California beer company founded in 1996. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. Firestone Walker is also the brewery behind 805, one of the nation’s fastest-growing beers. Learn more at FirestoneBeer.com.

 

RPCS Ranks No. 13 on 2020 Top Solar Contractors List

Posted on by Bri Bruce

RPCS Ranks No. 13 on 2020 Top Solar Contractors List

MONTEREY, CALIF., July 21, 2020—Solar Power World released today the 2020 Top Solar Contractors list. The list recognizes California-based solar contractor RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS)’s installation efforts, and ranks the company at 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.

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed each year by Solar Power World to honor the work of solar installers big and small. Solar firms in the utility, commercial and residential markets are ranked by number of kilowatts installed in the previous year. Companies are grouped and listed by specific service (developers, electrical subcontractors, EPCs, installation subcontractors, rooftop installers), markets and states.

“The Solar Power World team is so pleased to highlight more than 400 companies on the 2020 Top Solar Contractors list, especially during this unprecedented time,” said Kelsey Misbrener, senior editor of Solar Power World. “All contractors featured on the 2020 list reported strong 2019 installation numbers and are continuing to stand tall this year.”

The first quarter of 2020 was the country’s biggest ever, with 3.6 GW of new solar capacity added. But COVID-19 impacts showed their force in Q2, and Wood Mackenzie is forecasting residential and non-residential markets will see 25% and 38% decreases in year-over-year installation volumes this year.

RPCS continues to persevere through this turbulent time in history, and is seeing its best year yet despite the solar industry’s facing unprecedented challenges amidst the global coronavirus pandemic.

“We know that so many industries, companies, and families are facing economic uncertainty in the US in 2020,” says RPCS Chief Sales Officer Alex Smith, “and we are so grateful for the opportunity to do solid work in a growing industry. We work harder every year because we have this great opportunity and we don’t take it for granted when so many others are struggling to hang on.”

Headquartered in Monterey, California, RPCS employs nearly 200 team members, providing leading design, supply, and installation services for utility-scale projects throughout the United States. RPCS is proud to continue their contribution to the country’s clean energy mix.

 

 

About RP Construction Services, Inc.
RPCS designs, supplies, and builds utility-scale ground mount solar projects. With more than 500 completed projects throughout the United States, RPCS provides full turnkey service and support, including site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker supply, foundation post procurement, and complete mechanical installation. As a trusted partner of leading solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies, RPCS’s history, experience, and product knowledge provides customers with a trusted choice for seamless portfolio execution. 

About Solar Power World
Solar Power World is the leading online and print resource for news and information regarding solar installation, development and technology. Since 2011, SPW has helped U.S. solar contractors — including installers, developers and EPCs in all markets — grow their businesses and do their jobs better.

  

Media Contacts

RPCS
Bri Bruce, Director of Marketing
831-620-2188
bbruce[at]rpcs.com

Solar Power World
Kelly Pickerel, Editor in Chief
216-860-5259
kpickerel[at]wtwhmedia.com

RPCS and Indiana Municipal Power Agency Partnership to Complete Over 85MW of Solar Tracker Projects

Posted on by Bri Bruce

RPCS and Indiana Municipal Power Agency Partnership to Complete Over 85MW of Solar Tracker Projects

 

Indiana Municipal Power Agency(MONTEREY, Calif.) JUNE 16, 2020 – RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) and the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) have partnered to build a number of solar tracker projects to supply communities throughout the state of Indiana with clean, renewable solar energy.

IMPA is the wholesale power supplier to 61 public power communities in Indiana and Ohio, providing a diverse portfolio of power resources in a low-cost, reliable, and environmentally responsible manner for its communities and their customers. IMPA has taken on the role of developer and EPC and will receive 100% of the power production from these solar projects, all characteristics that make the organization unique and contribute to their ability to complete projects smoothly and efficiently for the benefit of the IMPA member communities.

RPCS and IMPA have worked closely over the last several years on a number of projects, forming a deep trust and true partnership. From 2018 to 2020, RPCS has helped IMPA design, supply, and build the racking posts and tracker system at 17 of IMPA’s solar parks, comprising nearly 85 megawatts throughout Indiana.

“RPCS is pleased to again be working with IMPA in 2020 on a number of projects that will help supply their communities with reliable, clean energy,” says RPCS Sales Director Blaz Ruzic.

The projects will all feature the DuraTrack HZ V3 solar trackers from Array Technologies.

“RPCS has been an excellent partner on our solar park projects,” commented Emily Williams, Project Manager for IMPA. “Their design capabilities, installation expertise for the tracker systems, and ability to meet our tight construction schedules has made a very positive impact on our projects.”

IMPA leveraged RPCS’s stocking services to Safe Harbor solar tracker components for the portfolio of projects completed in the second half of 2019 and leading into 2020. This allowed IMPA and RPCS to collectively achieve impressive engineering, supply, and installation lead times, in addition to nearly doubling IMPA’s installation capacity. The efforts of RPCS’s on-site crew also proved timely and efficient, installing the tracker systems for IMPA’s projects ahead of schedule, all while navigating and conquering field challenges encountered during construction.

“The solar market is a very fast paced environment which consistently requires a high level of trust and intensive collaboration across all trades and suppliers involved,” says Ruzic. “IMPA has been an esteemed client for RPCS due to their deep understanding of the solar development life cycle and their key emphasis for relationship-driven, long-term partnerships. IMPA’s team chemistry, detailed organization, and constant real-time communication has been, and continues to be, a crucial strength.”

RPCS looks forward to their continued partnership with IMPA in the year ahead.

 

 

 

RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) designs, supplies, and builds utility-scale ground mount solar projects. With more than 500 completed projects throughout the United States, RPCS provides full turnkey service and support, including site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker supply, foundation post procurement, and complete mechanical installation. As a trusted partner of leading solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies, RPCS’s history, experience, and product knowledge provides customers with a trusted choice for seamless portfolio execution. For more information, visit stgrpcs.wpengine.com.

The Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) is the not-for-profit wholesale power provider to 61 cities and towns in Indiana and Ohio who own and operate the municipal electric distribution systems in their communities. IMPA member communities deliver electric service to approximately 340,000 individuals throughout the state.  For more information, visit www.IMPA.com.

RPCS Strengthens Partnership with Today’s Power, Inc. in 2020 Pipeline

Posted on by Bri Bruce

today's powerMONTEREY, Calif., February 27, 2020—RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) has strengthened their partnership with electric cooperative subsidiary Today’s Power, Inc. (TPI) by announcing their 2020 pipeline of projects to be built in TPI’s home state of Arkansas.

The projects, totaling more than 5MW DC, will be supplied and installed in partnership with RPCS.  All will feature DuraTrack® HZ v3 single-axis solar trackers by Array Technologies. Array’s mounting technology keeps the modules following the sun on its course throughout the day, ensuring up to a 20 to 25% increase in energy production over fixed-tilt systems.

Today’s Power, a wholly owned subsidiary of Little Rock-based utility service cooperative Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), will receive RPCS’s turnkey service and support throughout the design and installation processes.

 today's powerThe newly established 2020 pipeline comes in the wake of recently completed projects built under the RPCS-TPI partnership, including the Fayetteville East and Fayetteville West projects in Fayetteville, Arkansas, totaling over 11MW. These TPI projects include the first solar-coupled battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the Mid-South, and the largest solar array on municipal land in Arkansas.

Other projects, namely those for the City of Paris, Arkansas, and for Southland Gin, a cotton gin, will soon be underway and are expected to be completed in the spring and summer, respectively, of 2020. The 1MW Southland Gin project, which will be owned and operated by Today’s Power, will consist in part of a DuraTrack HZ v3 single-axis tracking system, and will offset the power costs of the gin and through net metering. The array will also feature on-site battery storage, using battery backups for power savings during peak demand, reducing the load on the overall system.

“It has truly been a great pleasure working with Today’s Power,” says RPCS Sales Director Patty Thornton. “The knowledge they bring to the table coupled with the speed and accuracy that they complete the projects is beyond a five-star rating. RPCS is looking forward to building on the partnership we established in 2019.”

 

 

RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) is a leading solar tracker project design, engineering, and installation subcontractor based in Monterey, California. The team specializes in site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker and foundation procurement, and complete mechanical installation. With more than 360 projects and 1 gigawatt completed throughout the US, RPCS’s experience in the ground mount utility and distributed generation market ensures reliable support at every step of the project, delivering an unmatched level of quality and efficiency. To learn more about RPCS or to request a quote, visit stgrpcs.wpengine.com.

Today’s Power, Inc. (TPI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based utility service cooperative owned by 17 Arkansas electric distribution cooperatives.  TPI is one of the nation’s most experienced renewable energy companies with more utility-scale projects than any Arkansas-based company.  TPI is a full-service provider able to carry out all phases of any solar or battery storage project including, but not limited to, full bill / rate analysis, site evaluation, engineering procurement, design, commissioning, monitoring operating and maintaining projects.

AECI provides full line hardware to the utility sector, vendor managed inventory services, utility construction services, vegetation management services, high voltage testing and safety services, and is one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of micro, single phase and three phase transformers through its ERMCO brand.

 

RPCS Welcomes Mario Colecchia as Senior Structural Engineer

Posted on by Bri Bruce

mario colecchiaRP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) is pleased to welcome Mario Colecchia as Senior Structural Engineer

 

Mr. Colecchia joins RPCS from AZTEC Engineering Group, where he was previously a structural engineer.

As Senior Structural Engineer, Mario Colecchia will provide structural engineering assessments, calculations and stamped designs to comply with applicable codes, as well as manage and oversee engagement with geotechnical firms to gather needed field level data and generate geotechnical studies.

Working closely with the RPCS sales team, project managers, and field crews, Mr. Colecchia’s role in analyzing geotechnical reports or onsite issues related to foundations will help identify solutions and keep projects running smoothly. Mr. Colecchia will help contribute to the overall strategic initiatives of the company to help RPCS continue to maintain its reputation for quality and as an innovative, solution-oriented design-build installation company.

Mario Colecchia is a Professional Structural Engineer with over 20 years of experience designing a variety of structures including highway bridges, retaining walls, overhead sign structures, and PV trackers and foundations. For several years before joining RPCS, he worked as a consultant designing foundations for hundreds of RPCS projects. In total, Mr. Colecchia has worked designing and engineering hundreds of RPCS projects, as well as leading projects across the country.

Mr. Colecchia earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree from Princeton University in 1992 and his Master of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994. He is accomplished in the application and interpretation of the AASHTO/ACI/AISC/IBC/NDS design codes and local agency design guidelines. Although most of the projects he has worked on are in the United States, he has international experience as well, including in Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Mr. Colecchia is a former Adjunct Professor of Structures at Essex County College where he taught an introductory class in steel, concrete, and timber design emphasizing LRFD to sophomore-level college students. In addition to giving lectures, his responsibilities included developing the curriculum, preparing lessons, and creating exams. He currently teaches the Structures session of a review course for engineers preparing to sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. His teaching experience began at Princeton University where, as a teaching assistant, he led a class that introduced engineering concepts to liberal arts students and reviewed papers for publication.

“After several years of working with RPCS as a consultant, it’s great to be able to join the team I most enjoyed serving,” Mr. Colecchia says. “I hope to continue to provide RPCS and their customers the results they’ve come to expect. I am excited to focus entirely on RPCS’s customers!”

 

 

RP Construction Services, Inc. designs and builds ground mount solar projects. With over 360 projects and more than 1GW completed or under construction throughout the United States, RPCS provides full turnkey service and support for solar tracker projects, including site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker supply, foundation post procurement, and complete mechanical installation. For more information about RPCS, please visit rpcs.com or call us at 831.620.2188.

 

RP Construction Services, Inc. Surpasses 1GW Milestone

Posted on by Bri Bruce

California-based solar project design and installation firm RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) is proud to announce their completion of more than 1GW of solar projects.

 

For RPCS, 2019 was a record year. The company completed well over half a gigawatt in 2019 alone—an increase of more than 200% over 2018—and more than 200 projects in 19 different states.

“We’re thrilled to reach this gigawatt milestone—almost 400 projects of hard work and great memories, with many more to come,” says RPCS Chief Sales Officer Alex Smith.

Installing both individual projects and national portfolios, RPCS continues to establish itself as a relationship-based company focused on long-term partnerships—with customers, partners, and employees alike.

“The numbers are fun to celebrate, but the meaningful part is that our company has grown to well over 150 individuals, all dedicating their careers to our single focus of being the best team in the solar industry. In the next five years, we’ll see our numbers grow even more because our focus won’t ever change,” says Smith.

Headquartered in Monterey, California, RPCS provides leading turnkey design, engineering, and installation services for ground mount solar projects throughout the United States. The team specializes in site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker and foundation procurement, and complete mechanical installation. RPCS’s experience in the ground mount utility and distributed generation market ensures reliable support at every step of the project, delivering an unmatched level of quality and efficiency.

Despite market holdup due to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and the stepdown of the solar investment tax credit, RPCS successfully grew its pipeline for 2019, 2020, and 2021. Early this year, RPCS began offering customers a stocking services option with the opening of two locations in California and Texas, an endeavor that has already proved advantageous since its initiation in January. Bringing stocking operations in-house gives RPCS added levels of predictability, efficiency, and reliability to their business operations. RPCS is able to control the delivery schedule and material accuracy, eliminating schedule impacts as well as overall inefficiencies.

Concurrently, RPCS implemented their Safe Harbor strategy to help project developers, financers, and owners to take advantage of the highest possible ITC rate for projects built in the coming years. Their strategy allows customers to realize savings by both purchasing solar tracker materials directly from RPCS as well as storing them safely and cost effectively in RPCS’s storage facilities to serve projects nationwide.

Among other notable achievements this year was the company’s recognition as a Top Solar Contractor for the second 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. 15 overall out of 415 solar companies, moving up on the list from No. 18 the previous year. RPCS holds the reigning position in the state of Georgia at No. 1, in addition to being ranked the No. 15 Utility Contractor, the No. 4 Installation Subcontractor, and the No. 11 Contractor in their home state of California.

“Its’ an exciting time. The industry is thriving,” says RPCS CEO Eben Russell. “We feel a forever shift has happened, that a world that runs on renewable energy is now a matter of when, not if. Our team, at every level, continues to have enthusiasm to evolve, innovate, and refine. To our customers, vendors, and especially our employees, both past and present, thank you!”

With 2020 on the horizon, the company remains more committed than ever to advancing the growth of solar energy—for the next gigawatt and beyond.

RP Construction Services, Inc. designs and builds ground mount solar projects. With over 360 projects and more than 1GW completed or under construction throughout the United States, RPCS provides full turnkey service and support for solar tracker projects, including site layout optimization, ancillary engineering services, tracker supply, foundation post procurement, and complete mechanical installation. For more information about RPCS, please visit rpcs.com or call us at 831.620.2188.