HCS Renewable Energy Recognized as a 2018 Top Solar Contractor

The Solar Power World Top Solar Contractors list includes Georgetown-based solar firm

Buckthorn Solar Project

More than 10,600 megawatts of solar power were installed last year in the United States and local installer HCS Renewable Energy has been recognized by Solar Power World magazine for its contributions to the industry. HCS Renewable Energy achieved a rank of No. 10 overall out of 450 solar companies. HCS Renewable Energy ranked No. 2 as Solar Installation Subcontractor Nationwide and No. 1 in their home state of Texas in the magazine's 2018 Top Solar Contractors list.

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed by Solar Power World to recognize the work completed by solar contractors across the United States. Produced annually, the Top Solar Contractors list celebrates the achievements of U.S. solar developers, subcontractors and installers within the utility, commercial and residential markets, and ranks contractors by kilowatts installed in the previous year. The 2018 list was released on July 24.

Being ranked the second-largest Solar Installation Subcontractor in the country and the largest Solar Contractor in Texas is a great achievement. HCS Renewable Energy is proud of our leadership role, providing on-demand labor solutions to over 50 percent of the Utility-Scale Projects nationwide, our construction and skilled trade crews are the best in the industry. Thank you to our partners, our clients and our amazing team for a very successful year.

Ron Nickelson, HCS Renewable Energy, President

"Solar Power World is very excited about the 2018 class of Top Solar Contractors," said Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World. "Our 2017 list showed impressive installation numbers after 2016's huge rush to meet ITC requirements, and many companies were hesitant to show unavoidable installation dips after last year's high. We're happy to feature a strong group of thriving U.S. solar installers on the 2018 Top Solar Contractors list. These companies truly are at the top of their markets."

The U.S. solar market had its biggest year ever in 2016, installing more than 15,000 MW. Although installations in 2017 dropped to 10,608 MW, the total still represents 40 percent growth over 2015 numbers. The year-over-year downturn can be attributed to the large influx of 2016 projects rushing to meet the anticipated expiration of a 30 percent federal tax credit that was eventually renewed. Last year also saw uncertainty surrounding potential Section 201 tariffs on imported solar panels, which may have led to delayed or canceled projects.

A major highlight of 2017 was the non-residential market growing 28 percent year-over-year, the fourth straight year of annual growth for commercial, industrial and community solar. HCS Renewable Energy construction and skilled trade crews supported Utility-Scale Projects in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina and Texas over the last year. In 2017, 30 percent of all new electric-generating capacity brought online in the United States came from solar, second only to new natural gas capacity.

The first quarter of 2018 showed a 13 percent growth over the first quarter of 2017, and HCS Renewable Energy will continue to contribute to the wave of increasing solar generation. By 2023, more than 15,000 MW of solar is expected to be installed annually.

HCS Renewable Energy employs 450 workers who installed 335MW of solar power in 2017. Since its founding in 2016, the company has installed 888MW of solar. The company supports civil, mechanical and electrical subcontractors nationwide.

“Being ranked the second-largest Solar Installation Subcontractor in the country and the largest Solar Contractor in Texas is a great achievement,” said Ron Nickelson, president of HCS Renewable Energy. “HCS Renewable Energy is proud of our leadership role, providing on-demand labor solutions to over 50 percent of the Utility-Scale Projects nationwide, our construction and skilled trade crews are the best in the industry. Thank you to our partners, our clients and our amazing team for a very successful year.”

About Solar Power World

Solar Power World is the leading online and print resource for news and information regarding solar installation, development and technology. Since 2011, SPW has helped U.S. solar contractors — including installers, developers and EPCs in all markets — grow their businesses and do their jobs better.

About HCS Renewable

HCS Renewable Energy is the fastest-growing staffing subcontractor within utility solar — focused 100 percent on utility-scale, ground-mount solar projects. We concentrate on the North American solar industry with an emphasis on developers, general contractors, subcontractors and facilities managers working on commercial, industrial and institutional renewable energy projects. For more information about HCS Renewable, please visit www.hcsrenewable.com.

Source: HCS Renewable Energy