Dive brief:
- For the second consecutive year, Edmonton, Alberta-based PCL reported significant growth in its solar division and broke the $1 billion mark on projects secured by 2023, the contractor announced.
- The company, which operates in the US, Canada and Australia, experienced significant growth in this division when it went crossed the $500 million mark last year and split into formal solar subsidiary. The company also plans to grow its team to 100 people in the next 12 months, a PCL spokesperson told Construction Dive.
- PCL said the solar industry has grown as a result of the challenges posed by climate change and the shift away from fossil fuel energy sources that produce greenhouse gases. The contractor also agreed to the US Inflation Reduction Act and Canada’s similar Clean Energy Investment Tax Credit, which would help consumers and businesses lower long-term energy costs.
Diving knowledge:
PCL’s work in Canada and Australia includes two 400-megawatt solar farms: Homestead in Claresholm, Alberta, and Stubbo Solar in Gulgong, New South Wales, Australia. PCL said it was one of a limited number of engineering, procurement and construction contractors that could handle solar projects of this size in Australia.
In a similar vein, PCL claims to be the only solar engineering, procurement and construction contractor in Canada who has completed large-scale projects in the country. All three major Canadian projects have been in Alberta.
PCL told Construction Dive that it would be working on a similar project next year in Stubbo and Homestead in the US.
“This is an exciting time for PCL Solar. This growth reflects increased demand for renewable energy projects around the world,” said Andrew Moles, managing director of PCL’s solar division, in the statement.
In the US, recent project wins include:
- Peacock, a 150-megawatt solar power plant located in Taft, Texas.
- Azalea Springs, a 180-megawatt solar PV facility in Angelina County, Texas.
- Clearview, a 145-megawatt solar project in Adams Township, Ohio.
- Goose Prairie, an 80-megawatt solar PV project located in Yakima County, Washington.
Other contractors have also turned their attention to the sky. In April, McCarthy, based in St. Louis, won a $535 million contract for the Double Black Diamond Project, which is expected to be delivered next fall. Additionally, solar panel manufacturer Enel chose Inola, Oklahoma, as its headquarters first factory in the United States in may The 2 million square foot factory will have its first panels ready for market by the end of 2024.
