2021 in Review

2021 has been a year of both successes and challenges… 

In a year plagued by supply chain disasters and continued pandemic woes, we have alleviated the pain otherwise felt by the rest of the industry through our unique approach to project solutions and our business practices that bring added value to our customers.

Through tremendous growth, diligence, dependability, strength, and determination we solidified our spot as the No. 10 solar contractor in the nation, among other top state rankings, secured a spot on the Inc. 5,000 list, and took home the Gold Medal as one of just four other companies on Inc. Magazine‘s Best in Business List in the Construction category.

We expanded our scope into Canada, continued to build lasting partnerships, and forged new ones along the way to allow meaningful work to continue the clean energy transition and create a better future for the planet.

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:
READ MORE >

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 >

 

RPCS Ranks No. 13 on 2020 Top Solar Contractors List

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

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!