TEMPE, AZ — Sundt Construction, Inc., a general contractor, expands its presence in the renewable energy construction market with the launch of Sundt Renewables, LLC. Prior to forming the new subsidiary, Sundt acquired select assets and key personnel from i1 Energy, a company in the renewable power market. Sundt Renewables will focus on utility-scale solar and energy storage projects across the United States with a heavy emphasis on the Southwest and Texas.

"Sundt Renewables brings something unique to the solar industry: the specialized knowledge of a niche contractor combined with the size and strength of a large builder," said Sundt's CEO and Chairman of the Board, G. Michael Hoover. "The renewable energy market is poised for significant and sustained long-term growth as society continues to shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy."

Sundt Renewables is led by a trio of solar industry veterans and successful entrepreneurs who founded and grew i1 Energy into a market presence. Tom Dodson leads the group as its Managing Director. As co-founder of i1 Energy, he led the company's operations and oversaw the construction of its projects. At I1, Dodson led the field operations successfully building 50MW of PV solar and 25MWh of BESS, growing the company's team, and supporting developments and projects in excess of 2GW.

Previously, Dodson served as the President of Amec Foster Wheeler's Power and Process business unit, growing a team that built nearly two gigawatts of solar projects under his direction. Prior to becoming the President of Amec’s overall power and industrial business, he started and spearheaded Amec’s entry and growth in PV solar, executing and delivering $2.5 billion of projects safely and on time.

He has more than 25 years of experience in the design and construction of thermal and renewable energy facilities and is a licensed Contractor and Professional Engineer in over 20 states. Dodson holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Cornell University and master’s degrees from the University of Florida and Pennsylvania State University.

“We are excited to expand the skills of our group with this exciting addition,” said Sundt’s Industrial Group President Rich Keil. “We desire to further augment the services we provide to our current clients while building new relationships in the solar market to support the sustainable energy demand of the future.”

Topher Wood brings $2.5 billion in solar project experience to his role of Vice President, Business Development Manager for Sundt Renewables. Before joining Sundt Renewables, he cofounded i1 Energy and led another solar industry contractor's strategy and development. Wood holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University in manufacturing engineering and a master's degree in industrial and systems engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Bobby Batista, i1 Energy’s third co-founder, along with Dodson and Wood, brings over 10 years of solar project experience to his new role of Vice President, Engineering Director for Sundt Renewables. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University.