PCL Construction Services, Inc., one of the largest contractors in North America, today announced that the company has begun construction on the 20-megawatt (MW_AC) Odom Solar Farm, located near the city of Moultrie in Colquitt County, a rural community in Southwest Georgia.

Silicon Ranch Corporation, one of the nation's largest independent solar power producers, selected PCL's solar division as the Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC) contractor for the project. One of the industry's most well-resourced contractors providing EPC services, PCL's contracted solar projects in the United States, Australia, and Canada total over one gigawatt.

The Odom Solar Farm is part of a portfolio of projects that will provide power to Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) as part of the utility's agreement to supply 100 percent renewable energy for Facebook's data center in Newton County, Georgia. In total, Walton EMC and Silicon Ranch have executed six contracts totaling 435 MW_AC of new renewable energy generation to support Facebook's operations in Georgia. Silicon Ranch commissioned the first of these projects, the 102.5 MW_AC Bancroft Station Solar Farm in Early County, in November 2019.

PCL is responsible for the design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover of the utility-scale solar facility. Silicon Ranch is funding the installation and will own and operate the array for the long-term, a disciplined approach the company takes with every project it develops.

Both Silicon Ranch and PCL share a commitment to safety and are following CDC and OSHA guidance for preparing workplaces and responding to COVID-19 at the project site through social distancing, additional cleaning, and monitoring standards in an effort to reduce the impact of the virus. Workers supporting the energy sector through renewable energy, including those involved with construction, have been identified as "essential" by the Department of Homeland Security. More information on critical infrastructure during COVID-19 can be found here.

To construct the project, PCL and its subcontractors will hire approximately 150 craft workers, with preference given to recruits from the local labor pool and the military veteran community. Positions include mechanics, electricians, operators, foremen, safety professionals, inventory specialists, carpenters, installers, general laborers, and more. Area residents interested in working on the project can learn more by visiting the 'Skilled Craft' section of PCL's website.

"As the long-term owner of our projects, Silicon Ranch is committed to supporting the communities we serve, and we're pleased to work with PCL to execute this vision in Colquitt County," said Silicon Ranch Co-Founder and CEO Reagan Farr. "Silicon Ranch has invested significantly in the local and statewide economy over the past several years, and we are grateful to Walton EMC and Facebook for making the Odom Solar Farm and this investment possible in rural southwest Georgia."

"PCL believes in the ability of solar power producers to bring long-term value and economic development to local communities through access to low-cost, clean energy," said Rick Goldman, vice president & district manager for PCL. "As a collaborative construction partner, we are committed to driving economic opportunities to the Colquitt County community through partnership with Silicon Ranch and the local labor pool."