High-Production Pile Pre-Drilling Services Across Texas

Aggregate Resource Drilling, LLC, an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) and affiliate of Aggregate Resource Industries, Inc. (ARI), delivers high-production solar pile pre-drilling services throughout Texas. We specialize in large-scale solar sites where driven or augured piles encounter refusals due to dense subsurface materials such as caliche, limestone, sandstone, or expansive clay—common across West, Central, and South Texas.

Our advanced drilling fleet supports pile diameters up to 16 inches, meeting foundation requirements for both traditional and bifacial panel racking systems.

Whether you're developing a 500+ MW utility-scale farm in the ERCOT market or a distributed generation project in Central Texas, ARI ensures drilling precision, schedule reliability, and full regulatory compliance.

Why EPC’s and Developers Choose ARI for Texas Projects

Technical & Operational Advantages

• Proven in Texas: Over 700 MW drilled across Bosque, Itaska, Culberson counties and more

• SmartROC & Down-the-Hole (DTH) Drilling: Automated rigs with real-time drill data and embedded sensors

• Data-Backed QA/QC: GPS-tagged logs, as-builts, and GIS deliverables

• Experienced Crews: MSHA- and OSHA-certified teams with deep experience in mixed and refusal-prone soils

Strategic Developer Benefits

• IEE Status: Enhances eligibility for bonus IRA tax credits and supports tribal economic development

• IRA Labor Compliance: DOL-Registered Drilling Apprenticeship program satisfies prevailing wage + apprenticeship thresholds

• Rapid Mobilization: Nationwide reach with a dedicated Texas operations team and local vendor partnerships

Project Portfolio Highlights – Texas Solar Sites

ARI has drilled over 5 gigawatts nationwide and nearly 1 GW across Texas. Select regional projects include:

409 MW Hickerson Solar – Bosque County, TX
270 MW Buckeye / Files Solar – Itaska, TX
12 MW Triple Crown Solar – Culberson County, TX

Where We Operate in Texas

ARI provides solar pile pre-drilling services across the entire state, including:

• West Texas – Midland, Pecos, Fort Stockton, Culberson

• Central Texas – Waco, Killeen, Austin, Itaska, Bosque

• North Texas – Denton, Wise, Grayson counties

• South Texas – Corpus Christi, Kenedy, Rio Grande Valley

• ERCOT-Wide – Fully aligned with utility-scale project standards throughout ERCOT territory

Our Texas operations team mobilizes rapidly with experienced drillers and local support for staging, water supply, and equipment maintenance.

SmartROC Drilling with Integrated QA

ARI deploys Epiroc SmartROC D65 rigs equipped with advanced automation and integrated monitoring to deliver consistent, high-precision boreholes. Our system provides:

• Digital depth targeting with programmable drill control

• Real-time penetration rate and refusal data

• Hole straightness monitoring

• GPS-tagged logs for QA review and third-party documentation

• GIS-based layout integration and electronic as-builts

“With caliche zones ranging from 3 to 8 feet across Texas, our SmartROC systems reduce the risk of misalignment, pile refusal, and costly remediation.”
— ARI Project Superintendent, Texas Division

DOL-Registered Drilling Apprenticeship for IRA Compliance

ARI meets the labor provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by employing a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Registered Apprenticeship Program tailored specifically for rock drilling operations.

IRA Labor Compliance Advantages

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

• Enables full eligibility for 5x Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC) multipliers

• Meets documentation and audit requirements for Form 8835 and Form 3468

• Strengthens your project's compliance posture, limiting legal or financial exposure

“When ARI drills your solar site, you're not only getting the best technical execution — you're also ensuring IRA compliance for full tax incentive realization.”

Apprenticeship Program Overview

• Trade: Driller

• Registered With: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training

• Curriculum Includes:

  • Drill safety and lockout/tagout procedures

  • Refusal type identification and bore plan adjustments

  • Precision bore alignment, QA logging, and digital as-builts

  • MSHA and OSHA training modules

• Duration: ~2 years with structured pay scale and certification tracking

Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) Tax Credit Access

As a certified Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE), ARI offers added value to developers and EPCs through potential access to IRA bonus credits and federal incentives. Our participation:

• Qualifies projects for additional IRA bonus credits

• Enables eligibility for set-asides or procurement preferences on federal and tribal-adjacent land

• Demonstrates tribal participation and economic inclusion

• Enhances ESG alignment for mission-driven investors

Ready to Drill in Texas?

If your solar project in Texas is encountering refusals or complex ground conditions, ARI is your trusted partner for pre-drilling execution with IRA compliance and tribal participation advantages built in.

Contact our solar operations team for project-specific pricing, technical specs, or to schedule a site walk:

Contact ARI