The initiative, called “American Made, Arkansas Built,” brings together Zekelman, solar power developer Scenic Hill Solar, inverter manufacturer Yaskawa Solectria Solar, solar tracker and software maker Nextracker, and lithium-ion battery specialist KORE Power Inc.

“We are pushing for an American-led renewable energy system, starting in Arkansas,” said Bill Halter, Scenic Hill Solar chief executive and former Arkansas lieutenant governor. “The solar industry began in the United States but then shifted overseas. We are partnering with these leading companies to bring the industry back home to America by focusing on innovation and collaboration among the premier American manufacturers of solar equipment and batteries.”

Zekelman Industries operates two facilities in Blytheville, Ark., USA, and is building an in-line tube galvanizing plant. 

“The building of America’s solar infrastructure should be supplied by companies that make it here. With continual investments in current and new factories, we are well positioned to support this initiative,” said Zekelman Industries chairman and chief executive Barry Zekelman.

“Our new facilities in Blytheville, Arkansas, and others across the United States are among the cleanest steel tube and pipe manufacturing facilities in the world and are ready to provide the highest quality steel torque tubes, screw piles, and pipe piles for utility-scale solar installations,” he said.