Array Technologies and Big River Steel (BRS) have announced a long-term relationship between the two companies in which BRS will serve as a consistent provider of high-quality steel products used in Array’s industry-leading solar tracking equipment. Demand for Array’s solar tracking technology has grown consistently as interest in commercial and utility-scale solar projects has soared. Array has manufactured solar products in the United States for three decades and is the chosen tracker provider to nearly 20 gigawatts of utility-scale solar projects around the globe.
This agreement provides Array with a like-minded supplier in regards to environmental sustainability. In addition to identifying a steady supply of high-quality materials, Array was committed to finding a provider of steel products that would allow the company to maintain its commitment to providing reliable renewable energy not only in their product design but through their supply chain as well.
“Aligning our supply chain with innovative and sustainably minded suppliers ensures that we can provide high quality and environmentally conscientious products to our customer as demand grows,” said Jim Fusaro, CEO at Array Technologies.
BRS met that criteria. As the only steel producer in the world to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, BRS shares Array’s environmental commitment. The company’s Flex Mill utilises an electric arc furnace (EAF) that turns recycled steel materials into new steel products. But far beyond the recycling that is inherent in EAF steelmaking, Big River was founded on a commitment to sustainable principles which included site-wide initiatives that led to a campus approach to LEED certification.
The two companies also share a dedication to being technology leaders in their respective fields. For 30 years, Array has focused exclusively on designing and manufacturing solar tracking equipment by utilising engineered simplicity to create sophisticated solutions for complex problems. Big River is the newest and most technologically advanced flat-rolled mill in North America with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
“I don’t know that I have seen two companies more aligned in their values than Array Technologies and Big River Steel,” said Keith Shuttlesworth, chief commercial officer at Big River. “In meeting Jim and his team, it soon became obvious both companies are dedicated to implementing technology advances in both our production efforts as well as our commitment to the environment. This is exactly the type of partnership we knew our approach to steelmaking could attract, and we are thrilled to be working with the team at Array Technologies.”