Jun 4 2015
Nashville-based renewable energy provider Silicon Ranch Corporation and the Phoenix-based renewable energy team of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announce the selection of McCarthy to engineer and construct Silicon Ranch’s Highland Industrial Park 12-Megawatt (MW)AC solar power project that will provide power to Aerojet Rocketdyne and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) in East Camden, Arkansas.
Silicon Ranch, owner and operator of the solar project, selected McCarthy, one of the largest American-owned construction firms, for its extensive track record with utility-scale power projects. McCarthy will expand its renewable operations into Southern Arkansas with plans to secure local subcontractors and craftsmen to provide the bulk of on-site construction work for the 6-month project, beginning Monday, June 8, 2015.
The solar field’s construction is expected to support between 250 and 350 direct and indirect jobs, with a direct financial impact estimated to exceed $25 million. McCarthy will provide on-site training in utility-scale solar construction for workers in pile driving, tracker assembly and panel installation. Applications are available at: www.mccarthy.com/solar-workforce-application or may be completed at the jobsite construction trailer located at: 14630 AR-274 Camden, Arkansas 71701, beginning on June 8, 2015. Construction trailer hours are M-F 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Corbet Lamkin PhD, Chancellor of Southern Arkansas Technical University and region economic development advocate, is excited about the solar field, and SAUTech faculty have been invited to participate in the training opportunity: “This project will generate not only clean, renewable electricity, but also many other lasting benefits for the entire region.”
“In addition to the economic impacts during the construction phase, the solar field helps environmentally contribute to the business case that we believe will favorably position Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Camden operations against other highly competitive alternatives,” said Gary Vaughan, general manager, Aerojet Rocketdyne Camden.
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Camden facility is a 1,200-acre manufacturing and test facility that serves the U.S. Department of Defense. Electricity from the solar generation facility will directly supplement Aerojet Rocketdyne’s daytime operations. Under a unique set of power purchase agreements, excess electricity generated by the installation will be released to Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) and integrated into the cooperative’s diverse generation portfolio.
“This project is on the leading edge of a trend by U.S. industrial companies to commit to clean, renewable energy,” said Matt Kisber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Ranch Corporation. “Aerojet Rocketdyne understands that solar is a responsible choice from both environmental and economic considerations. Silicon Ranch is proud to help them achieve that objective, and as a long-term owner we are excited about the benefits this project will bring to the region.”
“McCarthy is honored to partner with Silicon Ranch for this solar power project,” said Scott Canada, Director of Renewable Energy at McCarthy. “We understand the challenges facing solar facility owners contracting for new solar assets and look forward to providing our expertise in utility solar for successfully building this great project, which will be the largest PV solar installation in Arkansas.”
About Silicon Ranch Corporation
Silicon Ranch Corporation, one of the top 15 solar operators in the U.S., is a turnkey, renewable energy provider that customizes solar solutions based upon the individual needs of its customers. Silicon Ranch’s value to its customers is its ability to develop and execute solar solutions that help companies build brand equity and pursue a socially responsible community benefit while allowing those companies to focus on their core business activities. Silicon Ranch has been instrumental in helping its partners accomplish numerous “firsts” in their respective marketplaces. More information is available at http://siliconranchcorp.com/.
About McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2014, is the nation’s 9th largest domestic general contractor (Engineering News-Record, May 2014). The McCarthy Southwest Division is based in Phoenix and was named 2014 Contractor of the Year by ENR Southwest. The firm regularly ranks among the Top 25 Utility Solar Contractors in the United States (Solar Power World 2014), having under-construction or constructed more than 211MW throughout the United States. McCarthy has offices in Phoenix; Albuquerque; Newport Beach, San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Las Vegas; Dallas and Houston; St. Louis; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan. and Atlanta. McCarthy is 100 percent employee-owned. More information is available at www.mccarthy.com.