Solar

Interactive Solar Site Selection ��Ϸ��bApp

gzadan — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 14:42:11 +0000

Interactive Solar Site Selection ��Ϸ��bApp gzadan Thu, 08/31/2023 - 10:42

Challenge

A solar developer with significant success developing rooftop solar arrays in the New Jersey Community Solar Program sought GZA’s assistance to identify potentially suitable landfills, brownfields, or other known contaminated sites to expand into ground-mounted solar arrays. With over 13,500 potential sites in New Jersey, the developer knew they needed an automated way to narrow their list.

Solution

Using publicly available data, GZA developed a GIS-based solar site suitability model as an ESRI ��Ϸ��b App. The App provided both pre-sorted and filtered sites based on the Client and NJ Community Solar preferences for parcels that were at least 15 acres after removing:

Steep slopes
��Ϸ��tland and vernal pool areas
Rare species areas
Contained some impervious cover

The ��Ϸ��bApp also provided the Client the ability to add additional filters themselves and select and sort by data attributes such as municipalities, counties, or utility service areas. The ��Ϸ��bApp provided a calculated distance to the nearest substation along with a direct link to the property card, and because these are primarily contaminated sites, a link to the NJ Dataminer website where the site cleanup records could be accessed.

Benefit

GZA’s knowledge of available databases and data analysis expertise helped the Client quickly cull a list of 13,500 properties to 432 sites likely to be suitable for solar development. The ��Ϸ��bApp provided a user-friendly interface that could be customized to ask and answer new questions about the data to more fully investigate a potential site before contacting a property owner or manager.

GIS
ESRI Story Map
Data analysis
Local solar program knowledge
User friendly app and database provided to client
Efficient analysis saved client significant effort, time, and cost

New Jersey

Energy

Data Management, Analytics and Visualization Solutions

Land Use and Environmental Planning

Urban Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

gzadan — Mon, 22 May 2023 16:48:15 +0000

Urban Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) gzadan Mon, 05/22/2023 - 12:48

Challenge

Provide geotechnical engineering services for foundation and site design for urban battery energy storage systems sites in New York City (NYC), including Staten Island and Brooklyn. Geotechnical challenges included:

Geotechnical sampling through compressible and organic soils
Presence of deep fill materials with subsurface obstructions
Shallow depth to groundwater
Highly corrosive soils

Solution

GZA provided geotechnical services, including borings, test pits, field electrical resistivity testing and reporting, at 12 sites in Brooklyn for one BESS developer and 22 sites on Staten Island for another BESS developer in 2021 and 2022. Due to the difficulty of permitting in NYC, only one of the sites has been completed and is now operational in early 2023. These BESS included inverters, transformers, switchgears, and associated support structures on small marginal sites, often adjacent to wetland and residential areas.

Based on the data obtained from the subsurface explorations, GZA developed geotechnical engineering reports that provided foundation design and construction recommendations.

Benefit

GZA was able to provide foundation design and construction solutions to identified geotechnical issues, such as deep fill and/or compressible organic soils, often requiring helical ground screw foundation or excavation and replacement with compacted structural fill. GZA’s affordable foundation solutions addressed the project requirements of each site, to facilitate the construction of the battery energy storage systems. One site on Grand Street in Brooklyn is now complete and operational.

Small marginal urban sites, often next to wetlands and/or residential areas
Geotechnical engineering services
Borings, test pits and field resistivity testing
Foundation design and construction recommendations

Energy

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Parallel Products �� 100 Duchaine Boulevard New Solution to Difficult Drilled Shaft Installation for Solar Canopies

gzadan — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 14:47:28 +0000

Parallel Products �� 100 Duchaine Boulevard New Solution to Difficult Drilled Shaft Installation for Solar Canopies gzadan Thu, 08/04/2022 - 10:47

Challenge

Based on borings at the site, GZA provided a geotechnical report for solar canopy foundation design by a design-build contractor. Their design assumed 36- to 42-inch-diameter drilled shafts installed with temporary casing. Drilled shaft installation went according to expectations, except for one area where multiple drilled shaft installations encountered “running sands��, which is caused by loose sands and shallow groundwater. The Owner and Contractor reached out to GZA to help find a construction solution while drilled shaft installation was halted.

Solution

Working promptly with the contractor and the project team, GZA suggested several alternative drilling methods, none of which was deemed practical by the contractor. GZA recommended extending the canopy drilled shafts to derive support from deeper, denser soils. Therefore, GZA conducted an additional boring program to further evaluate subsurface conditions. The borings identified a deep, very dense sand and gravel layer suitable for end bearing of the drilled shafts. GZA recommended the designer redesign assuming end bearing conditions with a permanent casing extending through the loose sands.

Benefit

GZA was responsive to our client and their contractor to expedite the project schedule and find a construction solution to the difficult drilled shaft installation conditions; the solution did add cost but was definitive and worked to everyone’s benefit.

Geotechnical report for solar canopy foundation design
Drilled shaft installation complicated by running sands
Additional boring program to evaluate deeper subsurface conditions
Construction solution achieved

Energy

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Agrivoltaic Solar Energy Dual Use Project

gzadan — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 19:24:06 +0000

Agrivoltaic Solar Energy Dual Use Project gzadan Fri, 07/29/2022 - 15:24

Challenge

Bluewave Solar sought to develop a dual use solar array project on a portion of a wild blueberry farm in Rockport, Maine. The project included upgrading an existing access road and building a 4.2-megawatt solar energy system in a design compatible with continued blueberry production. GZA was contracted to provide wetland delineation and vernal pool assessments; State, federal, and local permitting; site civil design, and geotechnical foundation recommendations for the equipment pad and racking system.

Solution

GZA delineated wetlands and conducted three site visits to locate and document vernal pools and conduct wetland assessments. The original concept was redesigned to avoid impacts to surrounding natural resources by moving the proposed array outside the 75-foot significant wetland setback and the 250-foot Maces Pond Normal High-Water setback. The project required a Maine Stormwater Law Permit-by-Rule (PBR), Maine Construction General Permit (MCGP), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Self Verification Notification (SVN), and Site Plan Review by the Town of Rockport. GZA developed the site civil plan set and issued for construction civil drawings, developed permitting packages and coordinated agency meetings. Additionally, GZA oversaw the excavation of test pits to obtain subsurface information that was used to provide geotechnical foundation recommendations for the equipment pad and racking system.

Benefit

Because GZA worked with the client to redesign the original concept to avoid natural resources, the project required fewer permits and went from concept to construction in just over a year.

��Ϸ��tland delineation and vernal pool assessments
State, federal, and local permitting
Site civil design
Geotechnical foundation recommendations
15-acre/ 4.2 MW (DC) solar array
Upgrade of existing access road and construction of a solar energy array on an active wild blueberry farm

Maine

Energy

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Site / Civil Engineering & Design

Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. Chelmsford Landfill Solar PV Facility

gzadan — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 14:29:05 +0000

Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. Chelmsford Landfill Solar PV Facility gzadan Mon, 12/06/2021 - 09:29

Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. is a solar development company that specializes in ground-mount solar farm and energy storage projects. The Chelmsford project consisted of the development of a solar farm over an existing landfill for the town of Chelmsford’s “Community Shared Solar Project�� making solar energy available to residents unable to construct solar panels on their own property. GZA was contracted to provide geotechnical foundation recommendations for the battery storage and equipment pads, as well as landfill capping recommendations.

Challenge

The proposed equipment and battery storage pad was located adjacent to the landfill cap in an area supposedly outside the landfill area. After the contractor excavated for shallow pad foundations, landfill waste was observed below portions of the proposed pad area. Geotechnical borings then performed at the location of the pad indicated that landfill material extended up to 17 feet below ground surface. Landfill waste would not properly support the pad structures. The loads from the equipment and energy storage modules on the pads required an intermediate/deep foundation system be designed to transfer loads to competent soil below the waste. GZA selected helical pile foundations to support the loads. Once the helical piles were installed, the structural zone directly below the pads needed to be properly sealed and capped over the landfill waste.

Solution

GZA designed a helical pile foundation system to support the equipment and battery storage pads, working closely with the structural engineer. Geotechnical analyses, including the evaluation of pile group effects, were performed by GZA. The pile installation, performed by Conte, was observed by GZA to confirm and document that the installation procedure was in conformance with the contractor’s submittal previously reviewed and approved by GZA. GZA evaluated several capping alternatives and provided landfill capping design and construction sequencing for once the piles were installed.

Benefit

GZA provided services to help our client quickly change from a shallow foundation to a helical pile foundation to support the pad area.

Provided geotechnical design recommendations for equipment pad support on shallow foundations
Excavation during construction identified landfill waste outside the assumed landfill area
Landfill waste would not provide suitable bearing conditions for the equipment pad, requiring GZA design helical piles to carry loads below the waste
Designed new capping to seal the waste below the pile penetrations of the existing landfill cap
Observed and documented pile installation

Energy

Geotechnical Engineering Services

ECA Solar Geotechnical Services for Ground-Mount Solar

gzadan — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:36:11 +0000

ECA Solar Geotechnical Services for Ground-Mount Solar gzadan Fri, 11/05/2021 - 15:36

Challenge

Preferred foundation systems for ground-mount solar projects are short driven or screw piles able to resist high lateral loads. The piles are typically designed by a design-build contractor based on geotechnical studies and multiple site-specific load tests. For bidding projects, designers need to know the soil type and potential for shallow obstructions, such as boulders and bedrock. ECA Solar and GZA needed a cost-effective approach gain site access and to characterize the site for pile foundations by addressing these design priorities.

Solution

GZA’s preferred approach to field subsurface investigation for ground-mount solar projects uses test pits that allow boulder counts, and observation of ease of excavation, soil types and layering. Many more test pits can be performed in a single day, compared to borings. Test pits also allow for collection of bulk samples for laboratory thermal resistivity and corrosivity testing.

Benefit

GZA completed its subsurface exploration program solely using test pits. Along with GZA’s geotechnical report, subsequent loads tests at the site helped the design-build pile contractor design a cost-efficient pile system for the project. GZA was a trusted partner on ECA Solar’s team that brought this project through to completion in 2021.

26 acres of ground-mount solar constructed in 2021
GZA’s geotechnical report, completed in December 2019, included 2 days of test pit explorations
Test pit excavations (versus borings) allow full observation of soil types, layering and potential for obstructions, such as boulders and/or bedrock
No tree cutting was allowed for GZA’s exploration program
A mini-excavator was required to facilitate access through mature trees

Energy

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Kearsarge Energy 3.6 MW Solar Energy Project

gzadan — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:31:44 +0000

Kearsarge Energy 3.6 MW Solar Energy Project gzadan Fri, 11/05/2021 - 15:31

Challenge

Kearsarge Energy wished to develop a solar array on a portion of the long-vacant, 55-acre landfill on Old Groveland Road. The project included construction of a new access road with a turnaround area at the end and a stone-lined stormwater channel running along the road. A third-party, independent Massachusetts-registered professional engineer knowledgeable in landfill design and construction was needed to supervise the overall construction of the photovoltaic system.

Solution

GZA served as the client’s third-party Construction Manager for services in accordance with the Post-Closure Use Permit’s (PCUP) conditions issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) for the site. GZA prepared and submitted a Notice of Construction (NOC) to MADEP including a schedule for completion with major construction milestones of the PV facility notated. The overall construction of the photovoltaic system was performed under the direct supervision of a MA professional engineer as required. After each visit, GZA produced a written field summary documenting the number of on-site personnel present, work performed during the visit, general site housekeeping, conformance to best practices, adherence to construction documents and permit conditions, construction means and methods, and equipment installed. GZA performed a detailed slope stability analysis that demonstrated the ballasted racking system with some ground improvement was stable on slopes up to 30%. At the completion of the solar array installation, GZA performed inspections of both the solar array and landfill cap on a quarterly basis for one year and submitted a report to MADEP summarizing the inspection.

Benefit

GZA fulfilled the MADEP’s requirement for an independent third-party construction manager, which allowed the client to complete its development and installation of a 3.0 MG solar array system on a closed landfill. The City of Haverhill stands to net approximately $3 million in revenue over the next 20 years. The slope stability evaluation was accepted by state regulators and allowed our client to maximize the power output of the system.

Third-party construction management and inspection services
Slope Stability Analysis
8.25-acre/ 3.6 MW (DC) solar array
Post Closure Use Permit Modification
Required construction of new access road with stormwater channel

Energy

Construction Management

Tobacco Valley Solar Farm

gzadan — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 17:22:49 +0000

Tobacco Valley Solar Farm gzadan Mon, 04/13/2020 - 13:22

Challenge

In 2016, Deepwater Wind (DWW) was selected through a tri-state RFP process to construct Tobacco Valley Solar (TVS), a 26.4-megawatt solar photovoltaic electric generating facility in Simsbury, Connecticut. The approximately 300-acre parcel consisted primarily of agricultural fields that were historically used to grow tobacco and surrounded by residences. From the start, the project faced vocal opposition from many of the neighboring property owners as well as the Town due to the perceived negative environmental impacts of the project, despite the fact that once constructed it would provide one of the largest sources of clean, renewable energy in CT and generate significant tax revenue for the Town. Neighbors of the TVS project were concerned that construction of the solar array would mobilize potential contaminants in soil and degrade drinking water and they organized to block Siting Council approval of the project.

Solution

To help them evaluate the project impacts, navigate the regulatory approval process, and negotiate with the neighbors and Town, DWW retained GZA to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of the project site and provide expert testimony at the Connecticut Siting Council (the regulatory authority providing approval for the project). GZA assisted DWW in negotiating a settlement by which DWW agreed, among other things, to perform pre- and post-construction testing of potable wells in the project area. Following the 2018 agreement, GZA conducted a pre- and post-construction potable well sampling program at nearby residences that included collecting drinking water samples from 37 homes for analysis of pesticides with the results indicating no significant changes from historical conditions. Point-of-entry water treatment systems were installed where testing indicated impacts were present.

Benefit

Construction of the solar farm was completed in 2019 with positive feedback from the Town and neighboring residents. GZA was able to provide the flexibility, services and management skill required to help move this high-profile, challenging project forward to a projected on-time completion date.

Insights

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
Expert Testimony to CT Siting Council
Community Outreach
Potable ��Ϸ��ll Receptor Survey
Residential Potable Water Sampling

Energy

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Land Use and Environmental Planning

Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. Geotechnical Services for Ground-Mount Solar

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:01:02 +0000

Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. Geotechnical Services for Ground-Mount Solar Anonymous Thu, 09/26/2019 - 10:01

Challenge

Preferred foundation systems for ground-mount solar projects are short driven or screw piles able to resist high lateral loads. The piles are typically designed by a design-build contractor based on multiple site-specific load tests. For bidding projects, designers need to know the soil type and potential for shallow obstructions, such as boulders and bedrock. Borrego and GZA needed to develop a cost-effective approach to characterize sites for pile foundations by addressing these design priorities.

Solution

GZA’s approach to field subsurface investigation for ground-mount solar projects uses test pits that allow boulder counts, and observation of ease of excavation, soil types and layering. Many test pits can be performed in a single day, compared to borings. Test pits also allow for collection of bulk samples for laboratory thermal resistivity and corrosivity testing. As GZA’s relationship developed with Borrego, we added report details related to equipment pads and site access roads.

Benefit

Over the course of numerous projects on many different site types, from open farmland to forested parcels, GZA has become a trusted partner on Borrego’s team. GZA efficiently delivers a report product that meets Borrego’s unique needs.

Bruce Fairless, P.E.

Principal, Geotechnical Solar Practice Lead

Insights

Over 95 ground-mount solar geotechnical studies since 2013
Unlike borings, test pit excavations allow full observation of soil types, layering and potential for obstructions, such as boulders and/or bedrock
Array areas vary from about 5 acres to nearly 100 acres; typical size is approximately 15 to 35 acres

New York

Energy

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Solar Development at Rose Hill, ��Ϸ��st Kingstown, and University of Rhode Island (URI) Superfund Landfills

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 13:51:15 +0000

Solar Development at Rose Hill, ��Ϸ��st Kingstown, and University of Rhode Island (URI) Superfund Landfills Anonymous Thu, 09/26/2019 - 09:51

Challenge

From permitting to construction completion, this solar development program in partnership with Kearsarge Energy �� design and construction of a solar field atop three previously capped landfills �� presented challenges: as the first project of its type in the state, the permitting process was without precedent; protection of the landfill caps was paramount; and as-built vs. design discrepancies were encountered during construction at one site.

Solution

Drawing upon a successful permitting track record in neighboring states, GZA developed and presented a permitting process to the owners, EPA, and RIDEM, who readily adopted the process for this project. GZA’s geotechnical study for Kearsarge and other stakeholders included a bear capacity analysis and design of the ballast block foundations to maximize the number of solar arrays installed at each landfill while maintaining minimal ground pressure, to protect the landfill cap; this resulted in different-sized ballast blocks specialized for each location. To further protect the cap, GZA used low ground pressure equipment to manage construction activities, advised the contractor on weather/ground condition-related scheduling, and provided input on the design of all the wiring and supporting trays for the above-ground installation. During construction, GZA conducted a crane feasibility analysis for the installation of the transformer, and, when design issues at one site resulted from inaccuracies in the as-built drawings provided, GZA completed necessary stormwater analysis and restoration design to address unexpected erosion after the solar array installation.

Benefit

This project tapped a broad range of GZA’s technical capabilities and benefited from GZA’s stellar reputation with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, helping move this first-of-its-kind Rhode Island project through the regulatory and construction process on time and under budget, while protecting the integrity of the landfill caps at all times.

Insights

Unprecedented permitting process within Rhode Island
Bearing capacity analysis and ballast foundation design
Protection of Superfund landfill cap was paramount during design and construction
Construction oversight

Rhode Island

Energy

Land Use and Environmental Planning

Geotechnical Engineering Services

EHS Regulatory Compliance

Construction Management

Energy and Sustainability Services

Solar

Interactive Solar Site Selection ������Ϸ����bApp

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Urban Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Parallel Products �� 100 Duchaine Boulevard New Solution to Difficult Drilled Shaft Installation for Solar Canopies

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Agrivoltaic Solar Energy Dual Use Project

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. Chelmsford Landfill Solar PV Facility

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

ECA Solar Geotechnical Services for Ground-Mount Solar

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Kearsarge Energy 3.6 MW Solar Energy Project

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Tobacco Valley Solar Farm

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. Geotechnical Services for Ground-Mount Solar

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Bruce Fairless, P.E.

Solar Development at Rose Hill, ������Ϸ����st Kingstown, and University of Rhode Island (URI) Superfund Landfills

Challenge

Solution

Benefit

Interactive Solar Site Selection ��Ϸ��bApp

Solar Development at Rose Hill, ��Ϸ��st Kingstown, and University of Rhode Island (URI) Superfund Landfills