Combining Geospatial Approaches, Early Site Assessment, and a Prescriptive Solutions to Address Erosion and Vegetation Establishment on Renewable Energy Sites

This course covers the utilization of GIS resources and public data that are combined into a novel approach to examine and categorize erosion and soil health risk for the development of solar sites. It will detail this GIS based approach to be predictive in selecting areas of Utility scale solar construction sites to soil sample based on these areas of the site and foreseen site challenges. From there, soil amendments and innovative techniques were utilized to fix soils, vegetate, and close out permits on challenging solar sites across the United States. An emphasis on case studies, specific situations, and geographies will be addressed during this workshop session. Participants will learn the "how", "where", "why" details necessary to apply these techniques to improve results on utility scale solar sites.

Full Abstract: Solar sites present unique challenges that must be addressed by erosion control and storm water professionals to establish sustainable vegetation and ensure proper storm water management. Increased regulatory scrutiny by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regional regulatory authorities, and resulting fines have accompanied reports of damages for neighboring properties, with court judgments levied for hundreds of millions of dollars due to sediment release into offsite receiving water bodies. Additionally, in certain rural areas there exists significant pressure against these installations despite their necessity to America’s clean energy future. Among solar developers, there is a growing consensus that “the best sites for solar projects are already taken”, and the areas remaining present unique challenges, as spots with prime farmland or ideal topography become rare or non-viable candidates for development.

These changes in the industry highlight the critical need for early site assessment and evaluation to set achievable goals for the site, set realistic bids for erosion control and stormwater management to match those challenges specific to the project, and come up with a prescriptive plan of action early on, especially for higher risk installation. Once these challenges are identified, innovative methods of erosion control and vegetation establishment can be used to keep these solar installations green and our stormwater clean. This 60-minute session will explore predictive analysis, scientific validation, and identify issues with solar sites from real world examples during and post construction. Additionally, we will present a comparison of soil improvement technologies and erosion control solutions to overcome these challenges. Participants will learn the "how", "where", "why" details necessary to apply these materials and techniques to improve results on utility scale solar sites. A key focus of this presentation will illuminate how careful planning can help reduce instances of significant expense managing issues post installation.

Specific scenarios and examples will include situations such as:

• GIS site analysis of risk factors and opportunities in advance of construction.

• How, when, and where to soil test to help ensure successful site reclamation.

• Examination of when to seed, seed selection choices, when and where to install specific s erosion control materials, and “tradeoffs” from these decisions including long-term vegetation management.

• When large cut/fill operations are necessary to modify sites. Issues caused by deficient organic matter in soils or improper grading practices and improperly stockpiled soils.

• Pre/Post construction site soil pH adjustment.

• Establishing vegetation in rocky soils or on areas of the project with steep slopes or higher stormwater sheet flow.

• Establishing vegetation in and around solar arrays where shadowing and panel driplines are encountered.

• Pros and cons of establishing native and pollinator species versus faster growing turf type species.

• Combating significant sheet or channelized flow on sites.

• Review of specification development and recommending solutions before projects begin.

• Getting solutions installed quickly, especially under tight project deadlines or shrinking application windows.

Our industry is well positioned to improve the sustainability of solar generation sites with respect to soil health, selection of appropriate vegetation, erosion control, and storm water management techniques. This presentation will review current practices while also providing alternatives to common approaches to provide additional tools and techniques for your toolbox.