Employment eligibility and I-9 compliance is top of mind for many operations right now as national conversations ramp up and federal programs are reforming policies. Ensuring your solar project is compliant is essential.

Even if you are using a subcontractor or construction services provider to run your solar project, there are still risks if you do not remain vigilant. We’ll dive into why you need to check into your solar partners and what to look for.

Risks of non-compliance

First and foremost, why does this matter? You may think that because you are not directly employing workers, you are not at risk. And while you may avoid the direct impact of non-compliance such as lawsuits and fines, your project may still be at risk.
 
By using non-compliant subcontractors or construction services providers for your solar projects, you open yourself up to a variety of risks. These include: 
 
Sparse job sites: If your subcontractors are caught with compliance violations and their workers need to be replaced, your operations could be delayed—leading to further problems.
Expenses ballooning: Subcontractor disruptions will impact productivity on your jobsite, meaning your expenses are about to skyrocket.
Delays and cancellations: All of this adds delays to your solar project and could result in cancellations if you are unable to meet your contract deadlines—impacting your reputation
 
All in all, you are responsible for double-checking that your partners are compliant. If you cut corners, the chances of your project going dark can multiply quickly.

Ways to Check Compliance

If you want to stay vigilant about compliance, here are a few areas to check with your current providers and partners.

Thorough compliance programs

The first thing to ask about is what their compliance process is.

Does your solar construction service provider have a rigorous E-Verify program? Do their workers all complete a Form I-9 at the time of hire? These processes can help reduce risk and keep your solar projects moving forward.

Ongoing audits

Another area to ask about is how they ensure compliance best practices and processes are being followed. Robust compliance employers have regular audits to ensure established processes are followed and documents are properly maintained.

All in all, you need to be making sure your subcontractors or solar construction service providers are compliant. If you skimp in this area, you can put your solar project at risk of going dark.

Worried about compliance for your project? We can help. Partner with RenewableWorks to protect your business from unnecessary harm and expensive project delays.

Want to make sure your project stays compliant? Check out our IRA Prevailing Wages Info Sheet for a quick breakdown of what you need to know.