Below is a list of descriptions for the types of services that were needed to construct the solar energy project. To learn more about our Local Vendor Program or to sign up, please visit our Local Vendor Program page here.
MAJOR CONTRACTORS
Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Contractor (Like a General Contractor) – Leads the project, safety, and schedule. Manages all subcontractors.
Civil/Site Contractor – Responsible for building roads and grading around module installation.
Mechanical / Structural Contractor – Responsible for driving steel pile foundations, installing tracker/racking system, and installing modules.
Electrical Contractor(s) – Responsible for building the substation, transmission line, underground collection lines between inverter skids, and wiring of the modules.
Substation Contractor – Responsible for the design and construction of the substation including sitework, grading, foundation, and high voltage equipment install.
MAJOR Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)
Module Supplier – Responsible for providing site PV modules and coordinating delivery logistics.
Tracker / Racking Supplier – Responsible for providing project tracker / racking system and commissioning motors and moving parts.
Inverter Supplier – Responsible for providing the project inverter skids and start-up of inverters during commissioning.
Main Power Transformer Supplier – Responsible for providing the project MPT(s), dress out, and start-up of MPT(s).
JOBS
Laborers
- Skilled – Skilled labor refers to labor that requires workers who have specialized training or a learned skill-set to perform the work. Activities include fencing, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) installation and maintenance, drain tile repairs, grass and pollinator seeding, vegetative screening, and site security.
- Unskilled – Unskilled labor does not require workers to have special training or skills. Activities include waste management, portable restroom maintenance, and traffic control/flagging.
Civil
- Carpenters – Concrete form work, stairs, decking (for office trailers).
- Surveyors – Site grading and pile layout
- Concrete Finishers – Substation foundation finishing work
- Rod Busters – Tie rebar for substation foundation pours.
- Equipment Operators – Pile drivers, track hoes, bull dozers, motor graders/scrapers, back hoes, track/rubber tire loaders, skid steers, etc.
Mechanical
- Tracker Installer – Assemble and install trackers and racking system based on OEM provided manuals and specs.
- Module Installer – Offload and install PV modules
- Riggers – Align, level, and anchor machinery. Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare them for moving, using hand and power tools. Attach pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures such as beams, ceilings, and gin pole booms, using bolts and clamps.
Electricians – Read blueprints or technical diagrams. Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems. Inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers. Identify electrical problems with a variety of testing devices.
Project Manager – To plan, budget, oversee, and document all aspects of the specific project.
Superintendent – Trade specific – shall be responsible for scheduling, inspections, quality control, and job site safety.
On-Site QA/QC Managers – Inspect, test, and sample materials or assembled parts or products for defects and deviations from specifications.
- Electrical QA/QC Inspectors
- Multi-disciplined QA/QC inspectors
Site Safety Personnel – Ensures that construction workers are following established policies and safety regulations.
Site Project Scheduler – Organize, implement, and maintain scheduling management system supporting identified projects and their plans. Assist to set up tasks and sub-tasks to ensure satisfactory realization of project contract requirements as scheduled.
Craftworkers – On-site creation or reproduction of objects using a variety of techniques.
Post Construction – Operational and Maintenance Jobs
- Facilities Manager – Oversee the daily operations of solar farms. Responsible for ensuring staff are maintaining and operating the equipment and that the solar farm is producing energy as expected.
- Assistant Facilities Manger – Provide technical and sub-contractor support to the Facility Manager for the operations and maintenance of a solar farm. This includes managing the facility’s sub-contractors, site maintenance and operation, training, equipment testing, and responding to emergencies.
- Inverter Technician – Responds to inverter faults and outages, supports facility team in maintaining the solar farm operations.
- Remote Operating Control Center – Monitors and helps control the operation of the solar facility.
MINORITY CONTRACTORS AND MATERIALS SERVICES
Surveying – As-builts, ALTA survey, road and steel pile layout
Sanitary Facilities – Port-O-Potty, temporary trailer hook-up
Road aggregate
Utility fiber optic cables – Provides internet access for facility
Trucking – Stone hauling, equipment hauling
Pipe – PVC, steel, drain tile repair, irrigation repair
Fuel – Off/On road diesel, gasoline
Concrete – Off-Site
Cement stabilization
Water
Ice
Office trailers
Office supplies
Electrical service
Phone/Internet service
Paving
Construction material testing
Engineering services
Drilling contractors – Substation piers
Boring contractor – Road and pipe bores
Dewatering
Equipment rentals – Lights, generators, tools, equipment
Trenching
LOCAL NON-CONSTRUCTION VENDORS
Restaurants
Convenience stores
Grocery stores
Local housing
Mobile home parks
Retailers
Gas stations