ABOUT RPLUS
rPlus Energies is a renewable energy development company based in Salt Lake City, UT with a focus on developing, financing, constructing, owning and operating strategically-located, cost-competitive, large-scale renewable energy generation and storage projects that will support industries and utilities in achieving their renewable energy goals while also contributing to the modernization of the bulk electric system.
OUR STORY
rPlus was formed in late 2018 to develop projects that employ both traditional and new technologies to provide access to the best mix of renewable resources in a given region - including solar, solar plus battery, pumped storage hydropower, and wind.
The rPlus senior management group has collectively financed or developed over 3,000 megawatts of operating renewable energy capacity across the U.S., enough to power 200-250 homes per MW.
As of mid to late 2023, rPlus has grown to a team of 50 personnel and established a portfolio of over 40 projects across the U.S. representing over 14 GW of renewable energy capacity including over 10 GW and 83 GWh of storage capacity. Along the way, rPlus developed and sold a 150 MW wind project in Idaho, developed, sold, and continued on as construction manager through the commissioning of its first solar project, an 80 MWac project in Carbon County, UT, and broke ground on the construction of a 200 MWac solar project in Iron County, Utah and a 200 MWac solar project in Ada County, Idaho.
OUR LEADERS
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CHRISTIAN GARDNER
Our Chairman, understands how to develop infrastructure critical to a community.
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LUIGI RESTA
Our President, has developed over a gigawatt of renewable energy in the U.S.
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CLIFF SMITH
Now leading our operations, a veteran solar renewable developer from Hawaii with over 25 years of experience in construction management and development.
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THERESA FOXLEY
Our Chief of Staff is a “jack of all trades” who is adept at organizational management, talent development, and negotiating value-added partnerships with a diverse set of stakeholders.
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JOHN SPILMAN
A transactional attorney with expertise in large scale renewable energy generation and storage projects.
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MATTHEW SHAPIRO
Our leader in pumped storage hydropower is a global expert in strategy, siting, and applications.
OUR VISION
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As the end-users of more than two-thirds of our world’s power supply, the commercial and industrial sector is uniquely positioned to switch the demand to renewables and drive the transition to a low carbon economy.
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Enabling a more dispatchable and reliable power supply. We believe in the power of solar and wind - but also see increasing opportunity for pumped storage hydro and future innovations in battery storage and other technologies - to round out a more secure renewable energy mix.
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Each region has a unique blend of natural resources, energy demands and geopolitical constraints, so approaches to energy diversification should differ. With an understanding of the unique project economics on a regional and local basis, we work with our partners to customize their renewable energy mix and engage the right local stakeholders.
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We believe that we need to combine innovation in how we use existing technologies with increased investment in new technologies. By deploying the most promising - and disruptive - new renewable energy generation technologies combined with storage, we can accelerate the adoption of large-scale renewable solutions across the country.
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Our world’s projected emissions of carbon dioxide are falling short of the 2 degree Celsius goal set in Paris to avoid future consequences for human health, global economics and sea level rise. As such, we’ve signed the “We are Still In” pledge, joining a bipartisan coalition of 3,500 representatives from all 50 states - spanning large and small businesses, mayors and governors, university presidents, faith leaders, tribal leaders, and cultural institutions - rPlus Energies is committed to actions that reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. From the renewable energy projects we build for our partners to how we operate as a business, we can do something about it!
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rPlus strives to consistently and actively promote and support diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) in its workplace and during all stages of development, construction and operation. rPlus uniquely understands the value this practice brings, including:
•A broad range of perspectives, approaches, skill, and experience
•The addition of creativity and innovation in problem-solving situations
•Greater opportunities for professional growth
rPlus is leaning into the sustainability of DEI as a way to propel the continued growth and success of the energy industry.
rPlus is committed to:
•Provide ample DEI training resources to all employees
•Thoroughly embed DEI practices when creating policies and procedures
•Maintain an environment where all employees have ample opportunity to succeed, regardless of background
•Strongly encourage diversity with all contractors and subcontractors with which it engages, hiring based upon merit and ability
OUR NUMBERS
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Local First Scholarship series will be available exclusively to students residing in counties where rPlus Energies constructs a namesake project. The scholarship series supports students wishing to remain local while pursuing their career goals and assists communities in meeting their workforce needs by providing full and partial tuition scholarships to local university certificate and degree programs.
LOCAL FIRST - APPALOOSA SOLAR 1 SCHOLARSHIP
In May of 2023, rPlus Energies, Gardner Group, Sundt, and Greenbacker Capital Management announced the Local First – Appaloosa Solar 1 Scholarship in conjunction with Southern Utah University (SUU). This scholarship Scholarship will provide a total of $120,000 to SUU qualifying students who reside in Iron County, UT and plan to stay local after degree or certificate completion. The applicants can pursue any certificate, associate, or 4-year program.
“We are thrilled to launch our second Local First Scholarship program, this time in Iron County,” said rPlus Energies President and CEO, Luigi Resta. “Iron County has been a great partner throughout the development and construction of Appaloosa Solar 1. By providing this scholarship we hope to empower Iron County residents to enhance their skills and knowledge, and ultimately contribute back to the growth of this vibrant community.”
“We are delighted to welcome rPlus Energies, Gardner Group, Sundt and Greenbacker Capital as members of the T-Bird Family and appreciate their partnership to elevate SUU's and Iron County's future,” said SUU President Mindy Benson. “The impact of this scholarship will be felt not only by the awarded students, but also the entire Iron County region as it encourages additional workforce and economic development opportunities in our community.”
LOCAL FIRST - GRAPHITE SOLAR SCHOLARSHIP
In May 2022, rPlus Energies announced a $75,000 scholarship program for the students who reside in Carbon County, UT and plan to stay local after degree or certificate completion. Under the inaugural program in its Local First Scholarship series, rPlus is joined by Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company and Sundt Renewables, the owner and the engineering, procurement and construction contractor, respectively, for the Graphite Solar Project located in Carbon County, the first solar project developed by rPlus Energies to reach the construction phase.
"We are very excited to kick off this first-of-its-kind scholarship and help the local community with increased job skills, allowing local students to stay in the community where they have grown up," said Luigi Resta, President & CEO of rPlus Energies.
"This scholarship will be transformative to the students who receive it," said Greg Dart, Chief Campus Administrator of Utah State University Eastern. "The commitment of rPlus Energies, Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company and Sundt Renewables shows how deeply they care about this community. Their commitment to this community, this campus and these students is amazing, and we cannot thank them enough for their generosity and the impact it will have."
