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Roundtable Discussion with Solar Power World: “Designing for Next-Generation Technologies: Utility-Scale Trends”

Posted on by Bri Bruce

Designing for Next-Generation Technologies: Utility-Scale Trends

 

RPCS’ CEO and Founder Eben Russell with join Solar Power World and other Top Solar Contractors for a roundtable discussion on the best business practices the installation community has adopted for the utility-scale market.

The utility-scale solar market may seem like an assembly line of tried-and-true installation methods, but most of the industry’s technology advances first arrive on our largest projects. Large-format and bifacial solar modules are tested on new trackers and hooked up to more powerful inverters every day. Utility-scale contractors will talk about how they keep abreast on the latest technology designs while building successful projects with a shrinking ITC.

 

utility-scaleLive Roundtable

With RP Construction Services, Inovatues, McCarthy Building, and Renu Robotics

Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT

REGISTER HERE

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

Looking Back at Solar Power International 2019

Posted on by Bri Bruce

We’re looking back at our time at this year’s Solar Power International in Salt Lake City, Utah, and all we have to say is . . . WHAT A SHOW! Here’s a brief recap of the week’s highlights.

With more than 19,000 attendees from across the renewable energy spectrum, this year’s show was RPCS’s most exciting yet. The company, nearing it’s five-year anniversary, celebrates over 360 projects and nearly 1GW of solar completed.

“We love going to these shows,” says Alex Smith, RPCS’s Chief Sales Officer. “We do so many projects rapid-fire throughout the year that we don’t often get a chance to just stop and catch up with our customers and vendor partners. This year’s SPI was fantastic, lots of smiles and talk about making next year even better than this one.”

SPI run with the sunAhead of the show’s start, RPCS members participated in the Run with the Sun 5K on Monday, spending the morning with 1,000 of their fellow solar friends. It was an exciting start to the week, with waterfalls and inclines leading to a spectacular sunrise over Salt Lake City.

RPCS Top Solar ContractorOn Monday night, RPCS was among the honorary guests in attendance at the Top Solar Contractors Gala, hosted by Solar Power World, where they were presented with an award for achieving a rank of No. 15 overall on the Top Solar Contractors list. Among their other rankings, RPCS placed No. 1 in the state of Georgia, No. 15 Utility Contractor, No. 4 Installation Subcontractor, and No. 11 Contractor in their home state of California.

On Tuesday morning, RPCS joined Array Technologies in booth 1627 as their trusted partner and to once again show their support for the world’s leading and most reliable solar tracker. Visitors caught a demo of the DuraTrack HZ v3 solar tracker in action, topped with bifacial modules.

RPCSThroughout the show, there was lots of talk about RPCS’s Safe Harbor strategy with the end of the year–and the phase out of the solar investment tax credit–on the horizon. Earlier this summer, RPCS detailed their Safe Harbor strategy to allow project developers, financers, and owners to benefit from this year’s ITC rate. Their industry-leading stocking position will enable customers to build more projects and handle portfolio execution with more flexibility, all while leveraging the ITC and plan for projects in the coming years. RPCS is helping customers secure the highest tax credit rate while minimizing risks from project or technology changes. Check out our post on our Safe Harbor strategy for more information.

 

If you didn’t have a chance to come by the booth, reach out to our team at info@rpcs.com or join our mailing list to stay up to date on our future announcements and event schedule!

 

 

RPCS Ranks No. 15 on the 2019 Top Solar Contractors List

Posted on by Bri Bruce
top solar contractors list rpcs
RPCS ranks No. 15 overall on this year’s Top Solar Contractors List from Solar Power World.
Solar Power World today released their annual Top Solar Contractors list, recognizing California-based solar firm RP Construction Services, Inc.’s installation efforts. RPCS achieved a rank of No. 15 overall, out of 415 solar companies, with a reigning position in the state of Georgia at No. 1. In addition, RPCS is ranked No. 15 Utility Contractor, the No. 4 Installation Subcontractor, and No. 11 Contractor in their home state of California.

 

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed by Solar Power World to recognize the work completed by solar contractors across the United States. Produced annually, the Top Solar Contractors list celebrates the achievements of U.S. solar developers, subcontractors and installers within the utility, commercial and residential markets, and ranks contractors by kilowatts installed in the previous year.

“Solar Power World enjoys assembling the Top Solar Contractors list each year, and our 2019 edition features hundreds of companies making big impacts in local energy markets,” said Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World. “Solar power is becoming competitive with traditional electricity sources in more markets, and cities and states are demanding more renewable energy options. It’s a great time to be a solar installer, and we’re happy to highlight the best installation companies in the country on our list.”

The U.S. solar market is expected to see 14% growth in 2019, with over 12 GW of new solar power added to the grid this year—enough to power 2.28 million average American homes. This increase in installations is attributed in part to a rush to get projects in before the 30% federal investment tax credit steps down to 26% next year.

To prepare for the stepdown, RPCS announced several weeks ago their Safe Harbor strategy that will allow project developers, financers, and owners to take advantage of the highest possible ITC rate for projects built in 2019 and in the coming years. Customers can realize savings by both purchasing solar tracker materials from RPCS and storing them safely and cost effectively in RPCS’s two tracker storage facilities, located in California and Texas, to serve projects nationwide.

Headquartered in Monterey, California, RPCS employs over 100 team members, providing leading design, engineering, and installation services for projects throughout the United States. Since 2014, RPCS has completed over 360 projects and nearly 1GW, with 262MW and 103 projects completed in 2018 alone, earning them a spot at No. 18 on the 2018 Top Contractor’s list.

“Thank you, team. This honor is yours,” expresses RPCS CEO and Founder Eben Russell. “You solve problems, you follow through, you give your all, you support your coworkers, our customers, and our vendors. You are constantly improving and innovating. It’s a blessing for me to work with you each day.”

With renewable energy expected to be the fastest growing source of U.S. electricity generation for at least the next two years, RPCS is proud to continue their contribution to the country’s energy mix.

 

About RP Construction Services, Inc.
RPCS designs and builds ground mount solar projects. With over 360 projects and nearly 1GW completed or under construction throughout the United States, RPCS provides full turnkey service and support for the industry’s most bankable and reliable tracker, the Array Technologies DuraTrack® HZ v3 single-axis tracker, 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.

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.

RPCS Recognized as a 2018 Top Solar Contractor

Posted on by Bri Bruce

The Solar Power World Top Solar Contractor List Includes Monterey-based Solar Firm

 

[Monterey, Calif.] July 24, 2018—More than 10,600 megawatts of solar power were installed last year in the United States, and local installer RP Construction Services, Inc. (RPCS) has been recognized by Solar Power World magazine for its contributions to the industry.

 

RPCS achieved a rank of 18 out of 450 solar companies on the magazine’s 2018 Top Solar Contractors list. RPCS is also the No. 18 Utility Solar Contractor, No. 3 Solar Installation Subcontractor, and the No. 8 California Solar Contractor.

 

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed by Solar Power World to recognize the work completed by solar contractors across the United States. Produced annually, the Top Solar Contractors list celebrates the achievements of U.S. solar developers, subcontractors and installers within the utility, commercial and residential markets, and ranks contractors by kilowatts installed in the previous year. The 2018 list was released on July 24.

“Solar Power World is very excited about the 2018 class of Top Solar Contractors,” said Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World. “Our 2017 list showed impressive installation numbers after 2016’s huge rush to meet ITC requirements, and many companies were hesitant to show unavoidable installation dips after last year’s high. We’re happy to feature a strong group of thriving U.S. solar installers on the 2018 Top Solar Contractors list. These companies truly are at the top of their markets.”

The U.S. solar market had its biggest year ever in 2016, installing more than 15,000 MW. Although installations in 2017 dropped to 10,608 MW, the total still represents 40% growth over 2015 numbers. The year-over-year downturn can be attributed to the large influx of 2016 projects rushing to meet the anticipated expiration of a 30% federal tax credit that was eventually renewed. Last year also saw uncertainty surrounding potential Section 201 tariffs on imported solar panels, which may have led to delayed or canceled projects.

Despite initial setbacks posed by the Section 201 tariffs, RPCS installed more solar in 2017 than previous years, and is ramping up for a number of exciting projects in the latter half of 2018.

A major highlight of 2017 was the non-residential market growing 28% year-over-year, the fourth straight year of annual growth for commercial, industrial and community solar. In 2017, 30% of all new electric generating capacity brought online in the United States came from solar, second only to new natural gas capacity.

The first quarter of 2018 showed a 13% growth over the first quarter of 2017, and RPCS will continue to contribute to the wave of increasing solar generation. By 2023, more than 15,000 MW of solar is expected to be installed annually.

RPCS employs 66 workers, in addition to local temp labor, who installed 165,777 kW of solar power in 13 states in 2017. Since its founding in September of 2014, the company has installed over 450,000 kW of solar.

RPCS is the distributed generation and utility markets’ provider for Array Technologies DuraTrack® HZ v3 single axis tracker projects. As Array’s trusted partner, RPCS provides complete turnkey project design and mechanical installation services, and installed systems harness energy gains up to 25% higher than fixed tilt systems. RPCS’ deep history and product expertise of the DuraTrack HZ system provides customers with a trusted choice for flawless execution and repeatable success of single axis tracker projects.

“We’re thrilled and honored to have such a high ranking,” says RPCS Chief Sales Officer Alex Smith. “Sincerest thanks to our customers for their continued support. Our place among this list speaks to the relationships we have with our customers and partners, and to our incredibly hard working team.”

RPCS is working with some of the most respected names in the solar industry, and takes pride in establishing lasting relationships with partners. The team has demonstrated the ability to build numerous different projects simultaneously in multiple states and locations, further establishing their commitment to advancing the growth and future of renewable energy.

 

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