5 Key Questions to Ask Solar Construction Services Companies

Find the Best Solar Construction Services for Your Community, Commercial and Utility-Scale Solar Projects.

Image of a solar worker speaking with a customer in a solar field

Solar energy is really heating up. A primary catalyst is the $400 billion boost in federal funding for clean energy from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). New solar energy installations added 32.4 GW to the grid in 2023, accounting for over 50% of new electricity capacity additions, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

As a result of new solar projects coming online in 2024, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIS) forecasts U.S. solar power generation will grow 75% from 163 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023 to 286 billion kWh in 2025. The expectation is that commercial solar, community solar and utility-scale solar projects will be booming for years to come.

Amid this surge in activity, many Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies and contractors are turning to solar construction services companies to support their solar projects. Partnering with experts – like the RenewableWorks team – can help keep projects on track, and where applicable, assist them in meeting their IRA labor requirements.

Choosing the right renewable energy services partner can mean the difference between a profitable, successful project and one that misses the mark. If you’re an EPC leader or renewable energy contractor tasked with finding the right solar construction services partner for your project, here are some key questions to ask before making a commitment.

5 Questions to Ask Solar Construction Services Companies

1. Does your team have extensive experience providing solar construction services?

Increased regulatory support and the influx of capital are drawing many new players to the industry. It’s vital in solar construction to choose a construction services company that actually has experience in the renewable energy industry — and a track record of success.

Find out how long their team has been working specifically in solar construction. Ask for dates, projects and details, including the total GW installed. For example, RenewableWorks’ team of professionals has been working with EPCs and contractors for more than a decade, installing over 23 GW of solar.

Solar projects are constantly evolving and are highly complex. Evaluating a solar construction services company’s level of experience, in-depth technical knowledge and expertise plays a key role in completing projects on budget and on schedule.

2. What specific solar construction services does your company provide?

Consider the breadth of support you need for your project. From site planning and preparation to final commissioning, there are many steps an experienced solar construction services company can perform to move your project forward. Ask for a list of services a company offers and discuss the details.

RenewableWorks provides start-to-finish solar construction services, from the Notice to Proceed (NTP) through the Commercial Operations Date (COD). Having one company that can provide services for land survey and preparation, pile driving, racking assembly, panel installation and more can simplify and streamline your project.

Do you need a renewable energy construction services company that can provide a dedicated onsite presence? RenewableWorks offers dedicated onsite support at large commercial, community and utility-scale solar construction sites. These professionals are our boots on the ground, ensuring safety, service and quality, as well as providing real-time communication.

3. Can you provide support for IRA-eligible projects?

Bonus Inflation Reduction Act tax credits are available, but only if you meet a certain set of requirements. Ask about the company’s experience with IRA requirements, particularly related to prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship requirements.

RenewableWorks offers valuable experience helping our customers meet their IRA requirements. We work closely with our partners to evaluate employee classifications and corresponding wage determinations. Plus, we maintain certified payroll, audit and recordkeeping teams who understand IRA requirements and support our partners’ projects.

To help your company meet their IRA apprenticeship requirements, we provide a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program. As an in-house program, we maintain full control of our program’s enrollment, virtual classroom curriculum and on-the-job training. Moral of the story: RenewableWorks can help you meet your apprentice hours and worker ratios.

4. Are you also able to support the success of non-IRA projects?

While it’s important that your solar construction services company understands the IRA, you may be working on projects that do not require you to follow the same set of requirements. In those cases, it’s important to inquire about whether a solar construction services company has experience with non-IRA solar construction projects, too.

Good news: the team at RenewableWorks was working on solar projects long before the IRA. That means we have the resources and experience needed to support a wide range of project types, sizes and market locations.

By choosing RenewableWorks, you benefit from our demonstrated track record providing solar construction support services and our exemplary safety record. And because we are backed by the financial resources of TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE: TBI), you can take on new projects with confidence, knowing we’ll be there every step of the way.

5. How is your company addressing the skilled labor shortage to ensure projects stay on track amid high worker demand?

The success of every construction project depends in large part on having the right workers with the right skills — and enough of them to get the job done. Begin with understanding how prospective solar construction services companies recruit, qualify and train their employees.

To ensure we have the right people on staff, the RenewableWorks hiring team conducts a thorough review of candidates, vetting their skills and capabilities specifically for our open solar roles. We then perform in-depth interviews to clearly communicate requirements and expectations. The bottom line: only the best candidates get hired.

In addition to hiring only the best solar workers, RenewableWorks is committed to tackling the skilled labor shortage head-on by building the next generation of renewable energy professionals. One example: Our DOL-approved apprenticeship program — which offers a clear path to journey-level status — helps our employees advance their careers and unlock new earning potential.

Partner with RenewableWorks

When it comes to choosing a partner in solar construction, do your homework and ask questions. By offering best-in-class solar construction services for utility-scale solar, commercial solar and community solar projects, we believe RenewableWorks is your best choice for a solar construction services partner.

By choosing RenewableWorks, you can rest easy knowing our team of experienced professionals will make sure you have everything you need to achieve success during every step of your next solar construction project.

Let's Get Started

Let’s Get Started

RenewableWorks, a TrueBlue Company (NYSE: TBI), provides construction services for community, commercial and utility-scale solar projects. Driven by our mission to reduce our nation’s carbon footprint and build a more sustainable future, we partner with renewable energy contractors to support solar construction projects across the country.