PCL Construction’s solar division has its eye on the sky

Abstract

Dive Brief: Edmonton, Alberta-based contractor PCL Construction has seen major growth in its solar division, both in terms of profit and staff size. PCL's solar sector team also nearly doubled in the same time period, growing from 119 employees to 214. Rodolfo Bitar, the business manager for PCL's solar division, expects demand to remain strong for solar projects and said solar work is key to helping PCL grow as a company. Dive Insight: With U.S. headquarters in Denver, PCL has solar operations in six states and three countries, according to the release, and while the company has presences around the world, its largest sector is in the U.S. Bitar expects the company's U.S. expansion to continue, as the market continues to swell with investment. Some major PCL solar projects include: Travers Solar Project: A nearly 700-megawatt, direct current solar project worth $700 million located in Alberta, Canada. The U.S. is a booming market for solar energy, further buoyed by recent legislation. "The demand for high-performing solar facilities will only increase in the coming years as the world transitions away from carbon-producing forms of energy generation," said Andrew Moles, PCL director of solar, in the press release.