January 8, 2019 MYR Group Subsidiaries Synergize to Deliver Turnkey Services on Solar Projects
DRAWING UPON EACH OTHER’S STRENGTHS, SISTER COMPANIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE WINNING AND PERFORMING MORE SOLAR WORK, EXPANDING OUR RENEWABLE ENERGY PORTFOLIO
Despite ever-changing market forces, MYR Group subsidiaries are targeting solar energy opportunities by closely monitoring industry news, staying up-to-date with photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage (BES) technology, and building relationships with clients, suppliers, labor, and especially each other.
That’s why MYR Group subsidiaries are drawing increasingly upon each other’s strengths to win and perform the work on solar projects.
Volatile is a word often used to describe the solar industry. Depending upon who gets elected, tax incentives can be plentiful or difficult to obtain. Prices can be stable or unpredictable thanks to tariffs or trade wars.
Larry Baker, Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc.’s (Sturgeon Electric) regional vice president for the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) division, knows state and national politics can have far-reaching impacts on profit margins.
“Projects are usually penciled down to where there is limited margin in them,” says Baker, who oversees Sturgeon California’s renewables group. “Even a modest price increase can add up quickly, especially when you’re talking about 200,000 or 300,000 solar panels.”
Still, Baker and other key personnel at MYR Group subsidiaries, see a lot of opportunities in the solar industry.
At Huen Electric, Inc. (Huen Electric) the company’s Energy Solutions Group, which specializes in solar energy installations, is optimistic that the proposed legislation regarding community solar programs and remote net metering should provide Huen Electric with significant opportunities.
“The specific details have yet to be hammered out,” says Project Manager Eric Bechtold. “But New Jersey has mandated some aggressive renewable energy goals: 21 percent renewable generation by 2021, 35 percent renewable generation by 2025, and 50 percent renewable generation by 2025.”
At E.S. Boulos Company (E.S. Boulos), the C&I group is leveraging its affiliation with the company’s substation division and Harlan Electric’s Transmission and Distribution (T&D) group whenever possible.
“There’s transmission line, substation, and industrial work associated with many large projects,” says Scott Marquis, E.S. Boulos’ C&I vice president. “Our ability to perform every electrical aspect included in the scope of work is a strong advantage.”
Sturgeon California’s renewables team wasted little time bringing in two other MYR Group subsidiaries — High Country Line Construction and Great Southwestern Construction — to perform testing and construct tie-ins for a 20 MW solar project outside Fresno, Calif.
“It’s nice to have this level of assistance from our sister companies,” Raynaldo Ovalle, senior operations manager for Sturgeon Electric California, LLC (Sturgeon Electric California), says.
Bechtold believes there are many exciting opportunities ahead
“Several of our existing New Jersey engineer-procure-construct clients, for example, have expanded their capabilities nationally,” Bechtold says. “These clients have engaged with us about performing photovoltaic projects in other geographic regions.
“We expect these plans to gain traction in 2019, as they progress from design to permitting and construction.”