High-Production Pile Pre-Drilling Services Across Arizona

Aggregate Resource Drilling, LLC, an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) and affiliate of Aggregate Resource Industries, Inc. (ARI), provides solar pile pre-drilling services for large-scale solar projects throughout Arizona. We specialize in high-production pre-drilling where piles encounter refusal due to caliche, cemented alluvium, fractured rock, or coarse desert gravels—soils common in Arizona’s renewable energy development zones.

Our fleet supports pile diameters up to 16 inches, engineered for both monofacial and bifacial racking systems in environments where drivability is impacted by refusal or terrain variability.

Whether you’re building in Buckeye, Coolidge, or Mohave County, ARI ensures safe, precise, and schedule-driven pre-drilling backed by deep desert operating experience and IRA labor compliance.

Why EPCs and Developers Choose ARI for Arizona Solar Projects

Technical & Operational Advantages

• Proven in Arizona: Over 360 MW pre-drilled including Buckeye and Coolidge projects

• SmartROC & Down-the-Hole (DTH) Drilling: Fully automated with real-time depth and rock hardness detection

• Refusal Mitigation: Specialized tooling and real-time adjustments for caliche and cemented gravel

• GPS-Based QA/QC: As-builts, pile logs, and GIS coordination for downstream compliance and torque testing

Strategic Developer Benefits

• IEE Status: Eligible for bonus IRA tax credits; ideal for tribal-adjacent and federal land projects

• IRA Labor Compliance: DOL-Registered Drilling Apprenticeship ensures prevailing wage and apprenticeship thresholds are met

• Desert-Tested: Extensive experience operating in high-heat environments with minimal water availability and off-grid logistics

Project Portfolio Highlights – Arizona Solar Sites

ARI has drilled more than 5.6 gigawatts of solar projects nationwide, including critical projects in Arizona’s booming solar market:

260 MW Sonoran Solar – Buckeye, AZ
100 MW Saint Solar BESS – Coolidge, AZ

Where We Operate in Arizona

ARI mobilizes pre-drilling teams statewide, with established vendor support and environmental readiness in:

• Central Arizona – Buckeye, Goodyear, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Florence

• Western Arizona – Yuma, Parker, La Paz County

• Northern Arizona – Mojave, Kingman, and tribal-aligned development corridors

• Southern Arizona – Tucson, Willcox, Cochise County

• Tribal & Federal Land Projects – Compliance-ready for BIA and BLM jurisdictions

We operate under Arizona-specific environmental, dust control, and safety protocols, ensuring rapid mobilization and agency compliance.

SmartROC Drilling with Integrated QA

Our SmartROC D65 rigs are optimized for Arizona’s desert soils and operate effectively in extreme heat and variable formations. Our QA systems include:

• Automated bore control and refusal tracking

• Real-time penetration rate and energy usage metrics

• GPS-linked drill logs with precise depth confirmation

• GIS-based layout alignment and electronic as-builts for EPC compliance

“On our Arizona sites, caliche can appear in 2 to 6-inch layers with variable depth. ARI’s SmartROC precision and QA process prevent over-drilling, misalignment, and project delays.”
— ARI Superintendent, Southwest Division

DOL-Registered Drilling Apprenticeship for IRA Compliance

ARI operates a DOL-Registered Apprenticeship Program for drilling, fully aligned with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) labor compliance provisions.

IRA Labor Compliance Advantages

• Meets prevailing wage + apprenticeship (PWA) requirements under 26 USC § 45 and § 48

• Enables full eligibility for 5x ITC/PTC credit multipliers

• Satisfies documentation requirements for Forms 8835 and 3468

• Protects developers and EPCs from tax credit loss due to labor violations

“When you choose ARI, you're not just hiring a drill crew — you're securing labor compliance and IRA eligibility on day one.”

Apprenticeship Program Overview

• Focus: Drilling operations and QA documentation

• Registered With: U.S. Department of Labor

• Curriculum Includes:

  • Safety, lockout/tagout, and high-heat protocols

  • Refusal zone detection and method adaptation

  • GPS-verified bore alignment and QA log creation

  • MSHA/OSHA training for Arizona’s industrial solar terrain

• Program Duration: ~2 years with structured training and certification milestones

Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) Tax Credit Access

ARI’s status as an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) offers strategic advantages for developers building in Arizona, especially near tribal or federal jurisdictions.

Benefits include:

• Access to IRA bonus tax credits tied to tribal participation

• Preferential eligibility on federal or tribal-adjacent solar/BESS projects

• ESG enhancement and DEI alignment for public-private solar funds

• Support for tribal economic development with tangible workforce impact

Ready to Drill in Arizona?

If your Arizona solar or BESS site includes caliche, refusal risks, or IRA labor requirements, ARI is your proven partner for schedule-driven, IRA-compliant solar pile pre-drilling.

Contact our solar operations team to request a scope of work, field production rates, or pricing:

Contact ARI