The pandemic’s compounding supply chain issues and global panel shortages caused a negative impact on the US solar industry – threatening projects and diminishing pipelines. But thanks to historic executive and legislative action, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will reenergize US-based solar production. Galvanized by tax credits, many manufacturers and fabricators expect to reshore American output, reopening plants while reinforcing energy storage programs.
Most companies have offshored solar manufacturing, but Terrasmart’s 15-year legacy of domestically designing, manufacturing, and installing mounting and eBOS solutions has meant consistent investment in America’s carbon-free economy. “We’ve dedicated our work to improving the American job landscape through domestic sourcing and production with reliable, proud, and deep roots inside the U.S solar value chain,” says Terrasmart President, Ed McKiernan.
With analysts predicting the global solar power market to grow rapidly – such as this forecast which tops $290 billion by 2028”, this is good news for Terrasmart and its 430 employees as these opportunities will stimulate more solar jobs across its six offices, two operations hubs, and three manufacturing facilities.
Manufacturing across Terrasmart’s solar lifecycle solution
Terrasmart integrates products and solutions throughout the PV lifecycle, serving North America’s commercial and utility sectors. With over 20 GWs of solar deployed across 4,800 PV systems, we’ve created minimum risk and maximum value for more profitable solar on any terrain anywhere in the US.
Our unique approach has given our team a near-complete framework of solar tools and technology needed to customize solutions on every distinguishable project site.
At our three domestic manufacturing facilities, we produce:
Responding to the IRA with innovation
Terrasmart is well-positioned for continued innovation in response to the IRA. Inside our US manufacturing facilities, we consistently promote sustainability across the value chain, developing services and products for our customers to reduce environmental impact. With high-velocity manufacturing, we meet tight construction timelines creating lower-cost, built-to-last solar that’s faster, smarter, and better. And because we control our vertical integration, we also control the supply chain, making us transparent and dependable.
With new equipment investments, we meet demand and drive growth for domestic solar racking technologies and electrical balance-of-system products. Our eBOS division has already improved “processing speeds to deliver a plug-and-play solution for our C&I customers,” says Steve Achram, Director of Project Operations for eBOS.
Terrasmart Production Manager, Greta Urbanek, who oversees the custom design center, is confident that the recently acquired additional two steel roll form machines will quickly eclipse the 97 million pounds of domestic-sourced steel coil utilized to increase ‘pick and pack’ or ‘assemble and ship’ products.
The recently renovated 50,000 square-foot facility in Columbus is equipped with cutting-edge manufacturing equipment that increases production velocity — positioning Terrasmart to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for its solar-mounting solutions and new product development. This facility manufactures components for TerraTrak, the company’s single-axis A-frame tracker as well as fixed-tilt GLIDE Agile racking legs and lateral braces.
Managing domestic sourcing expectations
In addition to domestically sourced steel, copper wire, bar stock, backplates, and enclosures, Achram believes that the IRA will “create a tailwind of emerging opportunities” for Terrasmart, which we can use to bolster both upfront and manufacturing teams. Furthermore, as we continue to gain clarity of all IRA requirements, Terrasmart’s supply chain team is rapidly working to onshore and certify remaining tracker components and hardware by the first quarter of 2023.
Terrasmart’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) is also aided by our savvy, eco-friendly customers whose packaging and shipping requests reduce downstream waste and emissions. Completed projects, Urbanek notes, “routinely consist of domestically-sourced materials,” improving Terrasmart’s recycling standards with “cardboard, paper, plastic, copper, and mixed metals.”
Terrasmart’s most important asset is our people
At Terrasmart, our people’s safety, well-being, and success are our top priorities. We’re dedicated to developing all our team members, shepherding the growth of future leaders to build a thriving, inclusive culture of difference-makers.
As Supervisor of the Steger facility, Greta Urbanek made certain the production floor “has a voice with the front-facing teams,” increasing opportunities for diverse ethnicities and genders. She also developed an English as a Second Language program so that wage transparency, corporate communications, HR support, and interpreter-supported training are available for Spanish speakers.
Urbanek clarifies that this gives everyone “the greatest opportunity to learn” and the same opportunity for promotion. That kind of dedication to instituting across-the-board thinking for inclusive, cross-cultural hiring and pipeline promotion practices has earned Terrasmart the Top Workplaces Award by the Cincinnati Enquirer five years in a row (2017 – 2021).
A trusted solar market and manufacturing legacy
Terrasmart is a proven partner with decades of knowledge and expertise in the utility and C&I solar industry. Our 15-year legacy has provided comprehensive solutions using US-sourced steel and ready innovation while supporting integrated solutions and bringing clients a more robust future in renewable energy.
“The IRA sends an unequivocal signal of support for American manufacturing and will continue to boost American employment. I’m fortunate to lead a team of industry veterans and passionate newcomers who bring sustained vigor to their role as champions for solar energy production and manufacturing. Together we support our customers in their ambitions to increase domestic solar installations and meet our nation’s climate goals.”
Contact Terrasmart to find out how you can create a unique value for more profitable solar on any terrain anywhere in the US.
