Midwest Solar Contractor Shines in Any Scenario

Cody Van Ginkel and his crew install solar panels in any weather, even negative-30-degree temperatures.

Wisconsin is a land of extremes. We’re not talking about dairies or the Dells. This upper Midwestern state — almost considered “Northern” — experiences climatological extremes typically described in myths or movies. They say, before their first steps, every young cheesehead hears the legendary tale of the 1967 “Ice Bowl” that registered a gametime temperature of a frigid negative 13 degrees. Yet, 50,000 loyal Green Bay Packers fans arrived like it was business as usual. 

Because that’s how Wisconsinites are: They show up when there’s a job to do.  

“I like to tell my guys we have a 150-degree range of work,” says Cody Van Ginkel, site superintendent for Arch Electric, a Wisconsin family-owned company that’s been installing solar panels in the area since 2003. “If it’s negative 30 out, we’re working. If it’s 110, we’re still working.” 

Cody says a lot of their winter utility projects put Arch Electric crews through the gauntlet, as they start in early October and go right through January or February. “You’ve got to have the right equipment to work in wet, hot conditions of late fall and then be able to work in subzero freezing temperatures a few weeks later.” 

Not just any machine for any weather 

Anyone would need durability and flexibility to withstand Wisconsin’s weather extremes. That’s why Arch Electric chooses Bobcat® equipment for their fleet, which includes four T76 compact track loaders, two UV34 diesel utility vehicles a Toolcat™ 5600 utility work machine and a 20-year-old Bobcat excavator that run the gamut for them. They also have a variety of Bobcat attachments for installations, snow removal and moving materials. 

The compact size of Bobcat products gives Arch crews the flexibility to complete all types of jobs they confront, whether installing small-scale ground mounts in a backyard with 20 feet of space, working around their outdoor warehouse facility or building a complete solar farm on 20 acres. 

“The Toolcat 5600 is great for tight spaces with its all-wheel steering,” Cody says, adding that they use the utility work machine for snow and warehouse work, as well as for module installations. “It is kind of like a Swiss Army Knife for us. It has the capability to do everything we need it to.”