Solar plants of this scale can provide electricity to tens of thousands of homes and businesses—but only if built to exact standards. That means coordinating hundreds of workers, sequencing equipment across vast footprints, and adapting to changing site conditions while meeting firm deadlines.

From Groundwork to Grid Connection

Construction begins long before the first module is installed. The site must be cleared, graded, and made accessible—sometimes in remote locations with minimal infrastructure. Pile driving follows, with each post installed to strict tolerances to ensure the structural integrity of the racking system. Electrical trenching and conduit installation are coordinated in parallel, laying the foundation for DC collection systems, inverters, and interconnection.

This phase was particularly intensive at projects like Eland Phase 2 in Kern County, CA, where more than 263,000 solar panels were installed. Crews worked across challenging desert terrain while sustaining productivity and quality in extreme heat and dust conditions. The scale required disciplined field leadership and careful material staging to keep operations moving without bottlenecks.

Once the groundwork is complete, racking and module installation begin—often with multiple crews working in parallel. The scope is significant: hundreds of thousands of modules must be mounted, tightened, and wired with precision. Speed matters, but so does durability. Each connection, from module clips to string wiring, must withstand decades of temperature cycles and wind loads.

Projects like Aquamarine in Stratford, CA demonstrate how modern solar builds integrate far more than panels. In addition to 250 MW of PV, the project included a 230kV substation, energy storage infrastructure, and SCADA systems for real-time monitoring. Each component had to be delivered in sequence, from transformer pad pours to fiber-optic communication loops.

Adapting to Field Realities

No matter how thorough the planning, utility-scale projects face real-world variables that test every aspect of construction management. Weather delays, evolving permitting conditions, equipment availability, and labor scheduling all influence execution. Remote sites can compound these issues, limiting deliveries and crew housing. Maintaining momentum requires seasoned field supervision, the ability to troubleshoot in real time, and the application of value engineering to adapt designs and methods for cost, efficiency, and constructability without compromising quality or safety.

For example, during the award-winning City of Atwater RES-BCT project, field teams navigated interconnection coordination and permitting changes while maintaining schedule commitments under California’s Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer program. Though smaller in scale at 1.7 MW, the project reflects the same complexity and pressure as utility-scale builds—it just plays out in tighter timelines and regulatory windows.

Why Build to Last

When properly built, utility-scale solar installations become long-term energy assets. They offer 25+ years of stable, low-emission power, hedge energy costs for buyers, and support broader grid decarbonization goals. The plants being constructed today will help determine how resilient, affordable, and sustainable our energy systems are decades from now.

“We approach every solar job with a builder’s mindset and a utility’s expectations. Quality, safety, and performance are non-negotiable.” – David Zetterlund, General Manager – Solar.

That mindset is essential. Utility-scale solar isn’t just about installing panels; it’s about delivering an integrated system built for durability, performance, and accountability at every level.

The post What It Really Takes to Build a Utility-Scale Solar Plant appeared first on BEI Construction.

From secure fiber optic networks and structured cabling to robust data centers and access control systems, BEI’s work behind the scenes enables cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven diagnostics, augmented reality-assisted surgery, and brain-computer interfaces.

As our healthcare portfolio continues to grow, so does our leadership in this space. We’re pleased to announce the promotion of Michael C. Kramer, RCDD/GROL, to Director of Healthcare Technologies. With over a decade at BEI, Mike has been a key part of our healthcare success, leading projects, building high-performing teams, and helping shape the specialized services we bring to this critical sector.

Under his direction, BEI is well-positioned to meet the rising demand for custom, reliable technology infrastructure in healthcare environments across California and beyond.

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Technology Modernization

This project focused on upgrading the campus-wide infrastructure to meet today’s digital demands while preparing for tomorrow’s needs:

• Fiber Backbone Upgrade: We replaced and rerouted the fiber infrastructure across all senior living areas to ensure faster, more reliable connectivity.
• Wireless Access Improvements: New access points were installed to extend Wi-Fi coverage, supporting essential digital access across campus.
• Access Control Enhancements: In partnership with the security team, we implemented updated access control systems for safer, more efficient movement within the community.

Engineering with Precision

Before installation began, our cabling team conducted a full site trace using duct rodding and fish tape to map underground conduit paths and locate all manholes. This initial groundwork enabled us to design and deploy an efficient, minimally disruptive solution.

With this foundation, our CAD designers and Project Managers crafted a custom, future-ready cabling layout tailored to the unique structure of the campus.

Technology that Supports Senior Living

Beyond technical upgrades, the infrastructure improvements deliver meaningful benefits for residents:

• Telehealth Access: Reliable internet connections enable virtual medical consultations, reducing the need for travel.
• Digital Inclusion: Enhanced Wi-Fi opens access to online education, entertainment, and communication tools.
• Stronger Community Ties: High-speed internet supports video calls and social platforms, helping residents stay connected.
• Peace of Mind: Upgraded access control ensures a secure, monitored environment for everyone on campus.

Up Next: Pacific Grove

Following the successful completion in Santa Rosa, BEI is now working on the next infrastructure project at a coastal senior living community in Pacific Grove, CA, which accommodates up to 190 residents. This project builds on BEI’s deep experience working in active senior care environments—delivering critical technology upgrades with minimal disruption to residents and daily operations.

The post Building a Future-Proof Campus appeared first on BEI Construction.

This marks BEI’s first time appearing on the prestigious annual ranking, which highlights the achievements of solar contractors working across utility, commercial, and residential markets. The list celebrates the companies driving the country’s clean energy transition forward—project by project, megawatt by megawatt.

BEI also ranked #37 among all companies headquartered in California based on 2024 installation capacity.

A Milestone Year for U.S. Solar

This recognition comes on the heels of a record-breaking year for solar energy in the U.S. In 2024 alone, the country added 50 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity to the grid—the largest single-year increase in more than two decades for any energy technology.

BEI is proud to be one of the companies behind those numbers. With over 9.6 megawatts (MW) of solar installed last year across California, Nevada, and Arizona, our field crews, project managers, and support teams delivered high-performance systems that are now producing clean energy every day.

Why It Matters

The Top Solar Contractors list is more than a ranking—it’s a snapshot of an industry scaling fast to meet energy demands and climate goals. Being part of the 2025 cohort reflects not just BEI’s growing footprint in renewable energy, but also our team’s technical skill, commitment to safety, and dedication to quality.

From single-axis tracker systems in the Central Valley to solar carports at community colleges and battery-backed projects in the desert, BEI continues to support a wide range of projects that move the grid forward.

Looking Ahead

As utility-scale and distributed solar expand across the country, BEI remains focused on building strong partnerships and delivering projects that meet the moment—with an eye on performance, reliability, and long-term impact.

We’re honored to be included in this year’s Top Solar Contractors list and even more energized about what’s ahead.

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.

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Nevada by the Numbers

Nevada’s clean energy leadership is backed by measurable progress:

• 32.5% of Nevada’s electricity comes from solar, the highest share of any U.S. state
• 7,982 MW of total installed solar capacity (ranking 6th nationally)
• 1st in utility-scale solar per capita
• 7th in solar jobs, with 8,592 jobs statewide
• Solar powers the equivalent of 1.28 million Nevada homes

*Sources: SEIA Nevada State Spotlight – June 2025 and U.S. Energy Information Administration

Why Nevada Shines

Nevada’s success in solar energy isn’t by chance—it’s a product of unique natural and policy advantages:

• Abundant sun: Las Vegas gets nearly 300 sunny days per year, with 97% cloud-free daylight hours—ideal for solar output.
• Policy momentum: In 2019, voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring 50% renewable electricity by 2030.
• Resource conservation: With growing water scarcity, urban sustainability has become a necessity. Some areas have banned non-functional turf to reduce consumption.
• Economic scale: The state’s solar market is valued at $12.5 billion, with strong 5-year growth projections (SEIA, 2025).

BEI Construction’s Contributions

Since 2018, BEI Construction has been growing a portfolio of projects supporting the state’s renewable energy ecosystem.

• Battery Energy Storage – BEI led the construction of a 220 MW / 440 MWh battery energy storage system in Moapa. This utility-scale facility stores energy from the grid during periods of low demand, dispatches it during peak hours to improve grid reliability, and supports Nevada’s clean energy transition by extending the impact of solar production beyond daylight hours.
• Real-Time Monitoring for Solar Systems – BEI has deployed critical infrastructure for performance monitoring and energy tracking systems used in solar facilities in Carson City and Reno. These systems help ensure real-time data collection, operational compliance, and smart integration with grid networks.
• Technology Infrastructure for Expanding Businesses—In addition to renewable energy work, BEI has supported business growth in Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson, Crystal Bay, and Sparks by installing structured cabling, AV systems, and security infrastructure, helping organizations maintain reliable operations as they expand across Nevada.

The Path Ahead

What was once a state known mainly for entertainment and excess is now helping define the future of clean energy. As Nevada continues to scale solar, storage, and infrastructure to meet growing demand, the focus will shift toward building the systems that keep that momentum going. Supporting this evolution—quietly, reliably, and with the right expertise—will be key to turning policy into long-term performance.

The post Betting on the Sun: Nevada & Renewables appeared first on BEI Construction.

Highwire’s Safety Assessment Program evaluates both a contractor’s historical safety performance (TRIR, EMR, DART, and OSHA recordables) and its proactive management systems, including policies, training programs, and safety culture initiatives. BEI earned a 95/100 score in each of the three evaluated categories:

• Electrical
• Communications
• Earthwork

These consistently high scores reflect BEI’s focus on delivering safe, high-quality work in complex environments—from utility-scale energy sites to sensitive technology infrastructure and healthcare projects.

Raising the bar on safety “Platinum status reinforces what our field teams demonstrate every day—that safety is not a checkbox; it’s a mindset,” said Mitch Royal, BEI’s Safety Manager. “We’re proud of our crews, our training culture, and the leadership support that makes safety non-negotiable at every stage of a project.”

This Platinum Certification follows another milestone: 250,000+ work hours in 2025 with zero recordable incidents. Together, these achievements reflect a culture of accountability, attention to detail, and care for each other and for the clients we serve.

Why it matters

Highwire’s third-party safety evaluations provide owners, GCs, and partners with an objective view of contractor performance and risk. Platinum Certification is awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of safety management and field execution, placing BEI among a select group of top-performing contractors nationwide.

To learn more about our safety management systems and field protocols, visit our Safety page.

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What Powers the Build

Clean energy projects are only as strong as the supply chains behind them. From core materials to final delivery, each component plays a specific role, and a delay in one can stall the entire project.

• Solar modules: Built from polysilicon, wafers, and cells, mostly sourced globally. U.S. production is growing, but it still depends on international inputs. SEIA Supply Chain Dashboard
• Battery systems: Lithium-ion units require critical minerals like lithium and cobalt. As storage demand grows, so does pressure on these supplies.
• Switchgear and inverters: These tie systems together. A single missing breaker or transformer can hold up testing and energization.
• Cabling: Copper and fiber ensure reliable control, communication, and monitoring, especially in large-scale deployments.
• Logistics: Even when parts are ready, shipping delays, port congestion, or customs issues can throw off schedules.

They may not be the most visible part of the project, but they’re among the most critical.

When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Even the best-run projects can face setbacks when the supply chain falters. In an industry driven by deadlines, disruptions can cascade quickly. The journey from manufacturing to deployment is fraught with potential challenges:

• Raw material shortages: Supply constraints on polysilicon, copper, or lithium can delay upstream manufacturing. Some solar components carry lead times of 6–12 months, especially when relying on international sources. SEIA Supply Chain Dashboard
• Shipping and logistics delays: Port congestion, limited vessel space, and customs holdups can stall critical deliveries, pushing schedules back days or even weeks.
• Quality or compliance issues: Equipment may arrive damaged, incomplete, or uncertified, especially for highly specialized gear like inverters or battery enclosures. These require rework, replacement, or re-inspection.
• Regulatory shifts: Updates to trade classifications, import requirements, or material certifications can affect timelines and sourcing. Even minor policy changes may require re-bidding components or adjusting procurement strategies mid-project.

One missed delivery or failed inspection can delay not only construction but also energization, utility interconnection, and revenue.

Mitigating Risk in a Moving Landscape

While no supply chain is immune to disruption, the renewable energy industry has developed smart strategies to minimize impact and keep projects on track. BEI adopts many of these same practices—partnering early, sourcing strategically, and planning with flexibility—to stay ahead of potential challenges and deliver with minimal disruption to clients.

• Diversified sourcing: Relying on multiple suppliers—often across different regions—helps reduce exposure to single-source delays or geographic bottlenecks.
• Long-term vendor relationships: Strong partnerships mean faster communication, more reliable lead times, and priority access during periods of high demand.
• Inventory buffers, in-house staging, and owned equipment: To stay ahead of long lead times, project teams often secure critical components well in advance, even stocking spares when needed. BEI supports this approach through its own warehouse, where materials are stored, managed, and staged. The company also owns over half of the heavy equipment used on its projects, reducing scheduling risks and adding flexibility when timing is tight. Together, these resources offer greater control when just-in-time logistics aren’t feasible.
• Flexible project planning: Construction managers increasingly sequence work to accommodate staggered deliveries, building what’s available first while waiting on delayed materials.
• Proactive logistics coordination: Early alignment with freight carriers, customs brokers, and site teams helps ensure nothing gets stuck in transit or shows up before the site is ready.

It’s not about avoiding problems altogether; it’s about building resilience so that when challenges arise, the project can keep moving.

What It Really Takes to Build Clean Energy

Clean energy doesn’t begin with a panel or end with a switch. It starts long before ground is broken—with planning, coordination, and a supply chain built on trust. Every project depends on the right materials arriving at the right time—and on the people who make that possible.

As demand for solar and storage continues to grow, so does the complexity behind the scenes. Staying ahead means more than reacting—it means building infrastructure that can absorb shocks and keep progress moving. That’s why supply chain strategy isn’t just a procurement issue. It’s a core part of delivering resilient, high-performance energy systems.

The post Supply Chain, Partners & Vendors: The Backbone of Reliable Delivery appeared first on BEI Construction.

In 2025, clean energy is not just about environmental stewardship—it’s central to America’s economic strength, energy security, and global influence. As electricity demand accelerates, driven by data centers, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and electrified manufacturing, the U.S. must invest in energy solutions that are scalable, reliable, and sustainable.

Clean Energy: The Strategic Advantage

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewables made up more than 90% of global power capacity additions in 2024, totaling 585 gigawatts—the highest increase ever recorded.

This global momentum underscores a simple reality: the nations that lead in clean energy will lead economically and politically. Energy leadership now means clean energy leadership.

Across the country, energy developers, contractors, utilities, and technology firms are responding to this shift by modernizing our infrastructure. Like many industry leaders, BEI Construction is contributing to this transformation by building utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems that reinforce grid stability and power sustainable growth.

The Stakes for America

• Economic Growth: Clean energy is one of the fastest-growing employment sectors in the U.S. In 2023 alone, it added nearly 150,000 new jobs, increasing the total number of Americans working in clean energy to over 3.46 million. That’s more than double the national job growth rate.
• Energy Security: Investing in domestic renewables reduces reliance on volatile global fuel markets and strengthens grid independence.
• Global Leadership: Clean energy innovation bolsters U.S. influence in international trade, climate diplomacy, and emerging technology.
• Sustainable Infrastructure: Solar and storage projects enable us to meet rising demand, protect against climate disruptions, and support long-term resilience.

Take Action: Support the Momentum Behind Clean Energy

The transition to clean energy is underway, but its continued success depends on more than infrastructure and investment. While companies like BEI Construction are deploying the systems that power this shift, and millions of Americans are employed in the sector, public policy remains a critical driver.

To keep clean energy growing, we need supportive legislation, long-term incentives, and clear regulatory pathways. And that doesn’t just happen behind closed doors—it happens when people speak up.

That’s where organizations like the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) come in. SEIA is leading the charge in protecting and expanding the policies that make solar and storage viable at scale. Their Solar Powers America campaign gives individuals an easy way to get involved.

Whether you work in the industry or believe in its impact, you can help defend the progress we’ve made—and shape what comes next.

Click here to make your voice heard. It takes less than two minutes to contact your representatives in Congress and support a clean, resilient energy future for the U.S.

The post Why Clean Energy Is Key to U.S. Leadership in 2025 appeared first on BEI Construction.

What is Agrivoltaics?

By installing solar panels above or among crops, farmers can continue to grow produce while simultaneously harvesting solar energy. This dual-use approach can enhance water retention in the soil, reduce heat stress on crops during peak sun hours, and decrease erosion. In some cases, crops even benefit from the partial shading created by the panels, improving yields under certain environmental conditions.

Benefits for Land, Water, and Communities

Agrivoltaics brings multiple environmental and economic benefits:

• Optimized Land Use: Farmers can maximize the productivity of their land by generating clean energy without sacrificing crop yields.
• Water Conservation: Shaded areas reduce evaporation, helping conserve vital water resources in drought-prone regions.
• Soil Health: Reduced soil erosion supports healthier farmland for long-term agricultural sustainability.
• Economic Resilience: Farmers diversify their income streams, while rural communities gain jobs in both the agriculture and renewable energy sectors.

Livestock grazing is another complementary practice. Solar farms often double as pastureland for sheep or goats, offering a natural method for vegetation management while promoting regenerative farming practices.

Agrivoltaics Momentum in California

California is rapidly advancing agrivoltaic projects, particularly solar-plus-storage systems that bolster grid reliability while supporting local agriculture. Recent initiatives demonstrate a growing commitment to aligning renewable energy goals with farmland preservation, particularly in areas where energy demand is high, but land use is sensitive.

Projects are being designed with flexibility to accommodate diverse farming activities, from vineyards to vegetable cultivation, ensuring that land remains productive while contributing to the state’s renewable energy targets.

Food and Energy Side by Side

Agrivoltaic systems offer a blueprint for a more sustainable and efficient future where clean energy production supports, rather than displaces, traditional land uses. As technology advances, the design of agrivoltaic projects will continue to evolve, optimizing panel height, spacing, and solar tracking systems to best serve agricultural needs.

California’s leadership in this space is setting a precedent for other regions, showcasing how innovation can solve the land-use challenges of large-scale renewable development without compromising the backbone of local economies: farming.

The future of energy and agriculture is not either-or. It’s both, working smarter together.

The post Agrivoltaic Solutions: Powering California’s Future of Clean Energy and Agriculture appeared first on BEI Construction.

Powering Modern Life: What does it take to power our world today? How much energy is needed to sustain modern life?

From powering a city to the lights of stadiums to hyperscale data centers, our infrastructure depends on a constant—and growing—electricity supply. As cities become smarter, homes become more connected, and technologies become more advanced, the scale of energy demand continues to rise. But how much power does it really take to keep modern life running?

Modern Infrastructure Demand

• A single U.S. home draws, on average, about 0.00133 megawatts (MW)—or 1.33 kilowatts (kW)—at any given time.
• An NFL stadium on game day consumes 5 to 10 MW to power field lighting, massive screens, broadcast equipment, HVAC, concessions, and more.
• A mid-sized city like Santa Monica, California, reaches a peak electricity demand of 70–80 MW.
• A hyperscale data center, especially one running artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing workloads, can require 100 to 150+ MW of continuous power. Some centers already exceed 200 MW.
• Globally, the Bitcoin network consumes over 15,000 MW—or 15 gigawatts (GW)—of electricity, roughly twice the total power demand of a country like Greece, which averages around 7–8 GW.

These numbers reveal how vital—and vast—energy infrastructure has become in every part of modern life.

Renewable Energy is Rising to the Challenge

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a record 446 GW of new renewable capacity was added globally in 2023—up 50% from 2022, and led by solar PV.

From rooftop systems to grid-scale solar farms, battery storage, and EV charging networks, renewable energy is rapidly becoming the backbone of tomorrow’s grid.

Built to Power

In a world where a single stadium can require 10 MW and a data center 150, how does infrastructure scale to meet that demand?

In 2024, BEI Construction was involved in clean energy projects totaling about 550 MW of installed capacity. To put that in perspective, it’s not just a technical milestone; it’s a measure of real-world impact.

This amount of energy could power more than 410,000 U.S. homes for an entire year. That’s roughly equivalent to supplying the electricity needs of twice the population of Oakland, CA, or the entire city of Santa Monica nearly seven times over. It’s also enough to light up over 100 NFL stadiums simultaneously—or run five to six hyperscale data centers nonstop.

On the environmental front, that level of solar capacity has the potential to prevent over 149,000 metric tons of carbon emissions every year, according to EPA equivalency estimates.

Looking Ahead: Scaling with Purpose

As electricity demand accelerates—driven by electrification, AI, EV growth, and urban expansion—the question isn’t just how much energy we need, but how intelligently we can deliver it.

The numbers from 2024 show what’s possible when infrastructure meets intention. Projects that once seemed ambitious are now essential. And the work BEI supported last year forms part of a much larger solution—creating systems that are cleaner, smarter, and ready for the future.

From school campuses to commercial centers and public infrastructure, the megawatts of today are laying the foundation for a more resilient tomorrow.

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