From 2015–2019, total installed solar energy capacity in the United States nearly tripled from 23.44 gigawatts (GW) to 62.3 GW. While this solar energy boom is a positive sign of the country’s transition to green energy, it requires increased understanding of the hazards associated with solar energy project construction. Many contractors must contend with the
Glare from solar panels can potentially impact sensitive receptors, such as aircraft pilots, air traffic controllers, motorists, residents, and recreationists. So, glint/glare analysis is increasingly becoming a required component of solar development applications at the local and federal levels. Additionally, depending on complexity, project components can be difficult for the public and decision-makers to conceptualize
Virginia recently passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which includes a renewable portfolio standard that will require all of its utility companies to source 100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2050. As such, the demand for permitting and constructing renewable energy facilities is now stronger than ever. Successful solar permitting in Virginia requires
Energy storage facilities are often sited near electrical distribution substations in urban and suburban environments to capitalize on the energy demands in these areas. In such locations, noise-sensitive uses may exist nearby, such as residential neighborhoods, hospitals, churches, and schools. Introduction of a noise generation source, such as an energy storage facility, must take existing
Dudek’s Mapping and Surveying team leverages more than 20 years of experience providing survey, permitting, and construction monitoring services. In 2019, we worked with First Solar to create a UAV-based construction monitoring and materials counting survey system. Data is collected using UAVs and analyzed with machine learning technology to provide material counts, before being provided
With stay-at-home orders in place, people are increasingly turning to online technology to meet virtually. For projects with a requirement to conduct public outreach or with a need to hold public board meetings or presentations, technologies like Zoom are critical. However, swift, widespread adoption of the technology also revealed vulnerabilities and weaknesses of the Zoom
In order to assist in the achievement of state renewable energy targets and increase electricity reliability for San Diego County, BayWa Renewable Energy proposed to construct and operate a 20-megawatt solar farm on unincorporated private land in southern San Diego County.
To reduce costs and increase reliability for its ratepayers, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power needed to construct a new 500-kilovolt, 10- to 14-mile transmission line to deliver power from the Apex generating station to the Crystal switching station in Clark County, Nevada.
Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Devers to Palo Verde No. 2 (DPV2) Electrical Transmission Line covers more than 150 miles of alignment running from western Riverside County to the Colorado River in Arizona. The project connects several large-scale solar and conventional generation projects in eastern Riverside County to the power grid.
Powin Energy’s 2-megawatt (MW)/8-MW-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) recently went online fewer than six months after the project was awarded, marking an energy industry first for the speed of battery energy storage permitting, manufacturing, installing, and commissioning of an asset of this size on a distribution feeder. Located in Irvine, California, the system provides
