PV Solar Sites

Project Summary

AZCO is performing construction of solar arrays for nine solar projects and prefabrication of substation steel for three of those projects. The projects combined provide capacity to power nearly 225,000 homes.

In 2021, the team procured 1.5 million bifacial monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) modules for three initial sites. Burns & McDonnell performed conceptual and detailed electrical design, environmental studies and permitting, civil and structural design for the modules. AZCO delivered the substation steel for all three sites, and the team designed and built 10 miles of high-voltage overhead transmission lines and substations.

The six remaining solar sites under construction are part of an integrated engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contract framework that creates efficiencies for environmental studies and permitting, ongoing electrical engineering, civil and structural design, substation construction, and interconnection tie-in support.

For all sites, we are providing installation of single-axis trackers, PV modules and inverter setting. For two of the nine sites AZCO self-performed installation of underground cable, aboveground cable, combiner boxes, string harnesses, CAB system, and all necessary cable terminations.

When complete, the nine solar facilities will span nearly 5,000 acres and add 664 MWac in total solar capacity to the regional grid. Over the duration of the program, more than 1,470 AZCO and Burns & McDonnell employees, craft and trades people will have worked on the project sites.

As part of a commitment to support the local employment base, an apprenticeship program was instituted through AZCO, providing field-based training and hands-on experience to 78 apprentices. AZCO has also directly sponsored apprentices to the Operating Engineers (12) and NCSRCC Carpenters (13). Additionally, local high school and secondary trade school students toured multiple job sites, emphasizing the pathways for entering the trades.