Gulf States Automation Inc. (GSA), a leading provider of building automation and HVAC control systems across the Gulf Coast, has been awarded Project of the Year by Automated Logic Corp. in partnership with Automated Logic Great Lakes for their work on First Solar’s flagship DRT1 manufacturing facility located in Trinity, Alabama.
The award was officially presented on May 1, 2025, at the Automated Logic Annual Dealer Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Top dealers and partners worldwide gathered to celebrate excellence in building automation and controls integration.
This prestigious award recognizes GSA’s outstanding achievement in delivering a comprehensive, innovative and energy-efficient building automation solution for one of the nation’s most advanced solar panel production plants. The First Solar DRT1 project, which spans over two million square feet, was completed in collaboration with Automated Logic Great Lakes and leveraged the power of WebCTRL®, Automated Logic’s industry-leading building automation platform.
Nathan Kitchens, facilities engineer at First Solar, praised GSA’s execution: “Gulf States Automation delivered a smooth, efficient installation and quickly adapted to the unique challenges of our facility. Their team was proactive in solving issues as they came up, and their commitment to getting the details right made a big difference in the success of this project.”
GSA provided full-service integration of HVAC, energy management and critical environment monitoring systems throughout the DRT1 campus. The implementation of WebCTRL enables First Solar to maintain precise indoor environmental conditions while optimizing energy usage, ensuring performance and sustainability goals are met across its operations.
“Our partnership with Gulf States Automation to deliver this project exceeded our expectations,” shared Andy Moebius, general manager of Automated Logic Great Lakes. “To build and commission a system of this size and scale within the accelerated project schedule was no small feat. The high level of execution on this project allowed the team to secure the next project for the same client that is currently underway. I would highly recommend partnering with Gulf States Automation.”
The DRT1 facility is part of First Solar’s broader strategic expansion and represents a significant investment in U.S.-based renewable energy manufacturing. GSA’s contribution ensures the plant operates efficiently and meets rigorous environmental standards from day one.
“We’re incredibly proud to receive this honor,” said Paul Wilson, president of Gulf States Automation. “This recognition is a testament to the expertise of our engineers, the strength of our partnership with Automated Logic Great Lakes, and our shared commitment to high-performance, sustainable facilities. Supporting First Solar’s mission with a scalable and intelligent control system was a privilege and a milestone for our team.”
Lisa Cox, vice president of operations at GSA, shares these sentiments and added, “The hard work and dedication of our team make us proud of this and all of our projects!”
About Gulf States Automation Inc.:
Founded in 2005, Gulf States Automation specializes in building automation systems and energy management solutions across Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana, with offices in Pensacola, Florida, Moss Point, Mississippi, Huntsville, Alabama, and Birmingham, Alabama. As an authorized Automated Logic dealer, GSA delivers high-performance solutions in healthcare, education, government and industrial markets. Learn more at gulfstatesautomation.com.
About First Solar:
First Solar Inc. is a leading U.S.-based solar technology company specializing in advanced thin-film photovoltaic modules. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, it stands out as the only major solar manufacturer headquartered in the U.S. with no production in China. First Solar is committed to sustainability and operates manufacturing facilities worldwide, including its $1.1 billion plant in Trinity, Alabama. Learn more at firstsolar.com.
About Automated Logic Corp.:
Automated Logic Corp. (ALC), a Carrier Global Corp. (NYSE: CARR) company, provides innovative building management solutions that make buildings smarter, more efficient and more comfortable. ALC’s WebCTRL platform is used in thousands of buildings worldwide to manage HVAC, lighting, security and energy systems. Visit automatedlogic.com for more information.
https://gulfstatesautomation.com/