Zachry has pioneered innovation through decades of market changes. In 2011, following in this leadership tradition, Zachry formed an integrated partnership with Suntech Power Holdings (the world’s largest producer of solar panels) to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for one of the largest solar plants in the world — Sempra’s Mesquite Solar 1 project in Arizona.

This was the first time that Zachry provided EPC services on a solar power project, and the work was on a massive scale.

Every day, thousands of panels were assembled and installed in the blistering heat, with workers rotating jobs to prevent boredom, complacency, and repetitive work injuries. Also, water and ice kept the workers hydrated, and dust control crews watered down the area to keep scattered dust to a minimum.

The project drew a lot of attention because of its size, and it was an excellent opportunity for Zachry to show its EPC capabilities in this new area.