G1 Here Comes the Sun

G1: Here Comes the Sun!
What’s Involved with Siting Solar Energy
Projects in Southern New England

Here Comes the Sun!
What’s Involved with Siting Solar Energy Projects in Southern New England
THE OWNERS PERSPECTIVE

The Owners Perspective
Devang Patel
General Manager
UIL Holdings Corporation

QUICK FACTS ABOUT UI
 UI employs over 800 people in a wide variety of jobs, ranging from line
workers and meter technicians to engineers and professional staff.
 UI’s service territory covers 17 towns and cities, a total of 335 square miles.
 UI is a subsidiary of UIL Holdings Corporation, which trades on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol UIL.

OUR SYSTEM
UI owns and maintains the lines, poles and equipment that
make up the distribution system that delivers electricity to
homes and businesses in its service territory.
It Comprises
• 384 circuits and 3,389 miles of overhead lines,
• 702 miles of underground primary cables,
• 41 substations, and
• 87,000 poles.

Public Act 11-80 Section 127 An Act Concerning the
Establishment of the Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection and Planning for Connecticut’s Energy Future became
effective July 1 2011
The Act was part of Connecticut's efforts to increase renewable
energy in the state by allowing the utilities to own and operate
up to 10 megawatts of renewable facilities
UI’s Renewable Connections Program
(RCP)

UI Renewable Connections Program
(RCP)
• UI VISION
• We are recognized by our stakeholders as a utility industry
leader, focused on the customer and engaged in deploying
environmentally sustainable solutions that provide electric
utility services safely, reliably and at a reasonable cost.
• UI saw the renewable projects as a means to further our
corporate policy of sustainability by the addition of Class 1
Renewable Energy into our portfolio
• Goes along with UI's Ten-Year Plan is an ambitious effort to
invest in our electric system to meet tomorrow's demands.
The Plan Ahead will ensure electricity continues to be as
safe and reliable years from now as it is today.

(RCP)
Potential Benefits
• Offer customers a portfolio of technology solutions,
including renewable energy options
• Reduce the Carbon Footprint of our customer base
• Support the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard
• Provide local distributed generation that can
support/offset peak demand issues
• Provide local jobs during construction
• Provide tax income to the host facility – ratepayer
benefits

• As part of this program UI Initiated the Development of a 10
MW program to consist of various Renewable Energy
Technologies
• It was UI’s Desire that the site of a renewable facility should:
– Be within UI’s Territory
– Be located on underutilized Property
• Brownfields
• Landfills
– Be large enough to support 1 to 5 MWs
– Demonstrate the Utility's ability develop generation (the first
time since deregulation)
(RCP)

(RCP)
• Initial thoughts included a combination of Wind,
Solar and Fuel Cell
• At the time a moratorium on Wind development and
recent lack of support for Wind projects in CT
precluded our advancement of this initiative.
(Limitations in UI’s territory contributor, time,…)
• A combination of Solar and Fuel Cells was selected.
(Bridgeport, CT)

(RCP)
• UI began initial discussions with a number of
Municipalities regarding potential available sites
• UI hired a consulting engineering firm to assist with
site screening and feasibility analysis
• UI considered properties in Fairfield and New Haven
Counties that included three landfills, a water pollution
control facility, and properties owned by UI

(RCP)
• UI used a model to determine the suitability of a given site which would
support both a fuel cell and Solar field.
• Model included the examination of topography, available ground space,
proximity to critical infrastructure, the site availability and current use.
• The Bridgeport site was selected due to its limited potential for other
types of development, size, proximity to existing utilities, and the City’s
support for the location
• Once selected UI along with our engineering consultants began a fatal flaw
analysis to determine the suitability and viability of the proposed
installation.

The Bridgeport Solar and Fuel Cell Project
Went through an exhaustive Siting Council Process
• Discussed and presented real and perceived public concerns with the
project
– Rate increase / costs
– Lack of understanding of solar technology
– Concerns with Habitat impact
– Visibility/Noise of the system
– Environmental Impacts
– Storm surge concerns
• How was each concern addressed by UI?
– Exhaustive reviews with regulating agencies- FAA, DEEP, City of Bridgeport
– Engineering Studies and reviews
– Habitat assessments and surveys
– Photo simulations of projected project impacts
– Community meetings

How Our Planning Process Was Different than
Most Solar Projects
• UI took on the role of the developer, initially by:
– Conducting design investigations
– Meeting with Regulatory agencies
– Pre-designing the facility
– Negotiating the lease
– Being the Petitioner in the Siting Council review
– Preparing biddable plans for the selected
developer/contractor
– Took on left field issues
• This ultimately resulted in a shovel ready project for the
contractor

Next Up:
Here Comes the Sun!
THE ENGINEER’S PERSPECTIVE

Engineering from Site Evaluation through
Permitting

Engineering from Site Evaluation through
Permitting
Presented By:
John Figurelli, LEP
Practice Leader
Weston & Sampson

 Proposed Solar Facility Type: Ground verses roof-top
application
 Land Use Type: Greenfield verses Brownfield verses Landfill
 Site Size (Acres): What size system are you looking for?
 Site Ownership: Private verses Public – It is a much more
straightforward process to obtain necessary approvals from
private owners than public owners.
Initial Planning – Site Screening
The first step of the site selection process typically includes evaluating each site against
criteria established by the Owner/Client/Developer.

 Site Layout: Sites oriented/graded to the south are more conducive to panel
orientation.
 Buildable Area: The larger the site, the greater the opportunity for solar PV
placement.
 Shading Constraints: Little to no shading allows the solar PV equipment to
operate at its maximum efficiency.
 Location of Distribution Lines: The closer existing distribution lines are to the
site, the better it is.
 Other Site Concerns: (i.e., existing easements/existing equipment) that could
affect PV layout
Initial Planning – Site Constraints

 Sensitive Receptors
 Wetlands
 Endangered species
 Major flood zone
 Hazardous Waste
 Presence of contamination
 Soil management restrictions
 Excavation restrictions
 Solid Waste
 Engineered cap versus soil cap
 Closed
 Documented
Initial Planning – Environmental Concerns

 Local Permitting
 special permits
 variances
 Conservation Commission/Notices of intent (NOI)
 site plan approvals
 State Permitting
 Hazardous and/or solid waste permits
 MEPA/CEPA/Natural Heritage/Species
 Historical Preservation
 Stormwater
 Various Specific DEEP/DEP
 Federal Permitting
 FAA
Initial Planning – Permitting Concerns

 Site characteristics
 Solar resources based on site location and layout, using
data available in the public domain
 Site energy use
 Siting constraints, including setback requirements, landfill
cover issues, etc.
 Electrical infrastructure
 Interconnection requirements
 Environmental impacts and permitting requirements
 Preliminary project economics
Key Design Considerations
GOOD
BAD

ADVANTAGES
 Large Open Space
 Access for Construction
 Remote Location
 Limited Shading
 Inexpensive Land
 New Use Underutilized Land
 Increased Site Monitoring
Landfill Siting – Advantages & Challenges
CHALLENGES
 Permitting Restrictions
 Settlement Issues
 Cap Restrictions
 Weight/Load Limits
 Interconnection Costs
 Slope Stability
 Erosion Control

Does anything preclude development?
 Closed…..When…..How?
 Activity/Use Limitations
 Zoning
 Usable Area
 Gas Control Systems
 Stormwater Controls
 Geotechnical Concerns
Development must:
 Maintain integrity of cap system
 Minimized adverse impact to public health,
safety and the environment
Getting Started – Feasibility

LANDFILLS ARE GOING TO SETTLE!
Typical magnitudes and types of settlement
 Typical Magnitudes – several inches to several feet
 Total Settlement – whole site settles at the same rate/magnitude
 Differential – Different rates/magnitudes in different areas
 Primary versus secondary compression
 Primary
 Large magnitudes/high rates
 Rates slow after several years following closure
 Secondary is long-term settlement occurring after primary occurs
But, how much settlement has occurred and how much settlement will occur?
Settlement

Review historical documentation
 Type and variability of waste
 Thickness of waste
 Thickness of cover
 How long the landfill has been closed
 Settlement/elevation measurements (settlement
plates/topographic survey)
Subsurface Investigations
 Costly
 May not result in useful information due to variability of waste
Settlement

Recently closed sites have greater potential for significant
differential settlement (may be a Fatal Flaw)
Closed for significant period (e.g., 10-15 years), and much of
the primary settlement may have already occurred.
Will vary from landfill to landfill – Use professional judgment
Settlement

Design a system that can tolerate some differential settlement
 Adjustable racking
 Flexible connections
 Row spacing to allow for repair (i.e., ballast re-leveling)
Adding more weight to the landfill will result in additional
(primary) settlement
 Minimize modifications to the landfill (i.e., grade increases)
 Minimize the overall added weight of the system on the cap
 Ballast/racking systems that minimize/distribute weight
Settlement – What can developer do?

A re-evaluation of the existing site’s stormwater
management system will be required to determine
the impacts of the proposed development.
Stormwater
 Typically, modules are not
considered impervious
 Model for 24-hour, 25-year, and
100-year events
 Design so that roads and ballast
equipment pads do not
fundamentally change
stormwater flow
 May require modifications to the
stormwater system.

Groundcover
Groundcover will be a major design consideration in
how it impacts the landfill sub-grade drainage layer,
erosion and sedimentation control, and the effort
required for future site maintenance. Groundcover
may be gravel, grass, or a combination of both.
Stormwater

 Drip edge considerations
 Re-seeding with low growth,
shade-tolerant mixture
 Low light flora
 Row spacing considerations
 Ability to mow between rows
 Allow sufficient light for growth
 Racking height considerations
Stormwater - Groundcover

Landfills typically use a combination of engineering controls,
management controls, and monitoring to ensure gas does
not pose unacceptable risk.
Engineering Controls
 Above-grade structures designed to prevent gas
accumulation
 Gas monitoring or warning systems
 Vapor barriers
 Venting systems
 Above-grade conduit runs
 Any subsurface runs - gas proof fittings
Landfill Gas

Landfill Gas – Engineering Controls
Above-Grade Conduit Runs

Gas venting around
equipment pads
Spacing around gas vents

Gas well
removal/relocation

Management Controls and Monitoring
 Perform gas survey if uncertain
 Sufficient clearance from the solar arrays shall be provided for future
maintenance and monitoring access
 Any potential combustion issues between the gas wells and the solar arrays
will be reviewed
 Monitoring worker exposure during construction
 Design should keep solar equipment and conduits away from gas sources
Landfill Gas

Access Road
 An access road will be required for during
the construction period and for long-term
maintenance access
 Access roads must not interfere with
stormwater flow
 Create temporary access roads to allow
construction equipment
 Remove temporary access roads
following completion of construction
Site Development Considerations & Concerns

Geotechnical Concerns – Side Slope Stability
Challenges
 Slope failure
 Stability of anchoring system
 Stormwater management
 Increased erosion
 Static & dynamic loading
 Snow and ice loading
 Side slope repairs
Design Considerations
 Maintain existing slopes
 Remain 5-10 feet back of crest of slope
 Analyze liner interface friction (if present)
 Lightweight PV module systems
 More robust footing/anchor system

Challenges
 Design for local wind speed
 Design for snow loads
While….
Minimizing bearing pressure/dead load on cap/liner
Structural Concerns – Wind/Snow Loading
 Minimize height of array while still providing
clearance for cap mowing and vegetative
growth
 Geometric design & orientation of dead load
 Lightweight PV module systems
 Account for snow accumulation
 Combined loads – consider tilt angle

Structural Concerns – Ballast Design
Types
Precast ballasts seemed to be favored in Northeast
 No soil penetration
 Minimal site excavation/preparation needed
 Speed of delivery and installation
 Eliminates the need for cast-in-place concrete
and all associated issues including forming,
pouring, and cure time, which can dictate the
pace of the installation process
 Accommodates most site locations and
conditions

Structural Concerns – Sliding
 Consider sub-grade material
on which the ballasted footings
will be installed
 Ideal type of sub-grade is a
well-drained granular course
material
 Due to cost considerations,
many are being placed directly
on soil surface

Mashpee, Massachusetts
Landfill
Ballast Installation Preparation
Removal of Vegetation
Placement of Geotextile
Gravel for Leveling

Structural Concerns –
Ballast Design
Racking solutions have emerged using approaches
other than precast blocks
 Ballast trays for standard pavers
 Pour-in-place plastic forms
These can…
 Reduce install time and racking costs
 Provide ease of installation - The racks are
assembled first, while they are light. The weight is
added after the system is lined up.
 Some systems can reduce overall bearing pressure
by spreading the load Solstice Mounting System

Cap Integrity
Overall plan must protect the integrity of the cap
system, including:
 Preventing damage to HDPE liners/low permeability layers
 Designing equipment to limit bearing pressure on the liner to
acceptable levels
 Use of low ground pressure equipment during construction
 Preventing damage to sub-grade drainage and gas collection
systems
 Designing equipment layout to avoid structures and lines
 Use of low ground pressure equipment during construction

Cap Integrity
 Preventing damage to stormwater management system (including
drainage swales and vegetative cover)
 Designing equipment layout to avoid structures and swales
 Design to limit alteration to existing storm water flow
 Use of drip edge erosion control if necessary
 Allow adequate distance between rows to maintain vegetation
 Raise panel height to allow for access/limit shading to cover below system
 Maintain proper sediment and erosion controls
during construction
 Preventing slope failure
 Route/collect drainage away from slopes
 Limit additional weight on slopes
 Limit proximity of roads and system to slope

Site Security
 Prevent unauthorized access
 Protect against theft or vandalism
 Meet electrical codes
Consider
 If a determination needs to be made on whether the entire site needs to be
fenced or just the solar array system
 What level of security is required for the solar development area in order to
provide limited access and to insure liability considerations are addressed?
 If the security measure should provide a mechanism to provide access for
the landfill gas management system and any other monitoring required for
the landfill permitting requirements

Fencing, perimeter or system specific
 Can be very costly
 May require specific design
 Wind/snow loading
 Ballasted to prevent cap penetration
 Allow for animal migration
Security cameras/Motion detectors
 Provides cost-effective full-time
monitoring

 Natural Resource Areas
 Wetlands
 Endangered or Threatened
Species
 Aquifer Protection Areas
 Cultural Resource Areas
 Historic Landmarks
 Special Zoning Districts
Resource Area Concerns

Example Design Practices to Minimize Impact
Turtle Habitat Area
 Fence adjusted to allow turtles to cross under fence
Nesting Birds
 Grass mowing times limited to minimize disturbance of nesting birds
 Construction sequencing to avoid impact
Endangered Moth Species
 Prime and sub prime moth habitat delineation to maximize solar array size
and clearing to minimize shading
Archaeological Resources
 Visual simulations to demonstrate no significant affect on historic or
archaeological resources

Public Awareness
 With available area at the entrance to the
site, would there be an opportunity to provide
some type of educational center or similar
type function?
Aesthetics
 Should some consideration be given to
enhancement of the site in terms of
landscape (e.g., trees, shrubs, and
ornamental fencing)?
 Do not underestimate public opinion!
Site Development Planning
(Brockton
Brightfields)

 Who will maintain the areas outside of the solar array site and
how often?
 Who will maintain the grass areas for the landfill within and
outside the area of the solar panels?
 Who will manage the operation, maintenance, and monitoring
associated with the landfill gas management system?
 Who will manage the monitoring of any groundwater wells
associated with the landfill site?
Site Operation Planning

 Who will maintain the access drives? Who will plow in
the winter?
 What are the procedures for landfill monitoring
workers to access the solar panel areas?
 What are the procedures for panel disturbance if
maintenance to the landfill systems is required?
Site Operation Planning

Springfield, MA
Google Earth Image

UI Solar Energy Project – Habitat Assessments & Wildlife Surveys
Here Comes the Sun!
What’s Involved with Siting Solar Energy Projects in Southern New England
United Illuminating Solar Energy Project
Bridgeport Seaside Landfill
Habitat Assessments & Wildlife Surveys
Presenter: Laurel Stegina, Project Manager │ Associate

• Project required Connecticut Siting Council approval
› Input from other state agencies including Connecticut Department of Energy
& Environmental Protection (CTDEEP)
• United Illuminating took pro-active approach
› Hired Fitzgerald & Halliday to conduct habitat assessments & biological
surveys
› Weston & Sampson supported this task
Why Were Habitat Assessments &
Surveys Required?

Initial Research & Data
Collection

• Common Tern
• Least Tern
• Roseate Tern
• Piping Plover
• Horned Lark
• Peregrine Falcon
• American Kestrel
• Sickle-leaf Golden Aster
• Beach Needlegrass
• Sand Dropseed
CTDEEP Natural Diversity Consultation
Avian Species Plant Species

• Conservation Status
› State Species of Special Concern
• Habitat
› Offshore islands & mainland beaches.
› Sandy, gravelly, rocky, and sparsely
vegetated habitats.
› Prefers open and exposed sites.
› Nests at saltmarsh sites.
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)

› State Threatened
• Habitat
› Coastal sites.
› Nesting colonies on open sandy
beaches.
› Mainland sites, rather than isolated
nearshore islands.
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)

› Federal & State Endangered
• Usually nests on small islands.
• Prefers sheltered sites under vegetation,
debris, or rocks.
• Will use human-modified sites for
nesting.
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)

› Federal & State Endangered
• Habitat
› Breeds and nests only on open,
coastal sandy beaches.
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

› State Endangered
• Habitat
› Nests in barren, sandy, stony, or areas
with sparse grass cover, and beaches
along the coast.
› Breeding has also been documented
in grassland areas at airports.
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)

• Habitat
› Perches and nests on tall buildings,
water towers, cliffs, power pylons, and
other tall structures.
› Flies long distances to feed.
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

• Habitat
› Grows in pine barrens and coastal
sand plains.
› Local occurrence in inland sandplains.
Sickle-Leaf Golden Aster (Pityopsis falcata)

• Habitat
› Grows on dry, sterile soils, especially
on dunes.
› Typically found along the coast.
Beach Needlegrass (Aristida tuberculosa)

• Habitat
› Grows best on sandy soils at lower
elevations of its range.
› Also grows on coarse, gravelly soils.
Sand Dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus)

Sparse vegetation /
grasses
Dense herbaceous
vegetation
Wooded
Wooded
Wet
Wet
Sandy
Shrubby
Landfill
piles

Field Investigations

Grassy & Herbaceous Areas

Lightly Wooded & Shrubby Areas

Grass & Gravel Access Roads

Wetland A & Landfill Piles

Wetland B

Wetland Z

Habitat Assessment -
Analysis & Documentation

• Predominately grass /
herbaceous vegetation
• Lightly wooded perimeter
• Shrubby areas
• Wetlands
• Grass & gravel access roads
• Landfill piles / developed areas
• Rocky shorefront
• Beach, sandy shore, dune
• Tidal wetlands
• Cedar Creek Harbor
• Long Island Sound
Field Habitat Assessment
On-Site Off-site / nearby

Results of Field Habitat Assessment
Plant Species Habitat Suitability
Sickle-leaf Golden Aster No pine barrens or coastal sand plains
Beach Needlegrass No dunes
Sand Dropseed Potentially suitable. Cracking gravel access roads.

Results of Field Habitat Assessment
Avian Species Habitat Suitability
Common Tern No island, beach, or saltmarsh
Least Tern No open, sandy beach
Roseate Tern No island habitat or suitable substitute
Piping Plover No open, sandy beach
Horned Lark Potentially suitable. Areas with sparse grass cover.
Peregrine Falcon No suitable tall structures

Additional CTDEEP Coordination
& Biological Surveys

• Sand Dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) survey
conducted on August 29, 2014.
• Multiple 10-foot transects walked within
potential habitat areas.
• No Sporobolus cryptandrus plants encountered.
Plant Survey

• 2014 surveys dates:
› April 1st
› June 16th
› July 30th
› August 29th
• Multiple 50-meter transects over the landfill
site.
• Recorded all avian species observed by sight
or by sound.
• No Horned Lark encountered.
• American Kestrel observed perching on
snag on August 29th.
Avian Survey

• On-site habitat
› One standing dead tree - “snag” -
with several holes capable of
providing potential nesting
locations.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Connecticut Siting Council
Process & Construction
Monitoring

• Snag noted on project plans
• Conducted pre-construction
survey
• Plan to periodically monitor
during construction in the
breeding/nesting period.
• If American kestrels found
using the snag for breeding
and nesting purposes,
planned to establish a 500-
foot protection zone around
the snag in to minimize
temporary construction
period disturbance.
American Kestrel Monitoring

• September 2014 Siting Council Hearing
• FHI provided testimony related to:
› Wetlands
› Habitat
• Siting Council approved the project with conditions:
› Establish 500-foot buffer around nesting American
Kestrels (if observed during project work).
› Provide Council with written notice prior to any site
clearing.
Connecticut Siting Council Process

American Kestrel Monitoring
• Snag snapped
approximately 15
feet from ground
• Discovery during
June 2, 2015 pre-
construction site
visit
August 2014 June 2015

Questions?

The Developer’s Perspective
Next up:

SNEAPA
Solar Energy in
New England
9/25/2015
120

About American Capital Energy
121
• Founded 2005. Veteran Owned.
• Headquarters in Lawrence, MA.
• Focus
• Commercial, Industrial, Utilities
• Landfills & Brownfields
• Roof / Ground Mount / Car Ports
• Turn-key Solar Solutions
– Development
– Engineering, Procurement, &
Construction
– Finance
– Operations & Maintenance
• 66+ Projects | 105+ MW’s | 14 States
Brewster MA Landfill
ACE Projects

Solar Development Project Cycle
122
Asset MgtEPCFinanceDevelop
• Site Assessment| Control
• Financial Assessment
• Permitting | Rights of Way
• Interconnections
• Energy Off-Taker | PPA
• System Design
• Regulatory Lobbying
• Project Finance
• Financial Engineering
• Project Finance
• Debt
• Tax Equity
• Sponsor Equity
• Capital Relationships
• Monetizing Incentives
• System Engineering
• Procurement
• Construction Mgt
• Union
• Non-Union
• Commissioning
• Performance Monitoring
• Warranty Mgt
• Repairs
• Maintenance
• System Optimization

Solar Incentives
123
• Federal
– 30% ITC
– MARCS – accelerated Depreciation
• State
– SREC/ZREC Program
– FIT Program
– Net Metering
– Sales Tax exempt
• Local
– Property Tax abetment
• Utility
– Rebates
–Resource: http://www.dsireusa.org
It is important to know what
programs are available for your
project so that you can help
facilitate/procure it!

124
Contracting:
• Depending on the Project type Contracting can occur in many
different ways:
• PPA
– Offers a no money down solution
– Savings for off taker through discounted energy rates
– Federal Incentives can be fully taken advantage of
– Typically a 20 yr contract
– Incentives and attributes owned by the financier
– Must have an accompanying lease
• Land Lease
– Offers a no money down solution
– Revenue from lease payment
– Power used by separate entity
– Typically a 20 yr contract
– Incentives and attributes owned by the financier
• Owner/EPC
– Incentives and attributes stay with Owner/municipality
– Owner must have tax liability to take full advantage of incentive
– Most in control

126
Permitting and Entitlements and Interconnection
• Land Rights
– Title
– Parcel Data
• Land Use Permits
– Zoning/Planning
– Sitting Council
– Variance
• Interconnection
– Utility requirements
– Cost of Upgrades

128
• Common Equity
• Tax Equity
• Debit
• Construction Financing
• Structure can vary greatly on a
project by project basis.
Financing:

130
• Typically the shortest duration out of the Project Cycle
• Design Must meet all state local and federal codes and regulations
• Important to have a reputable experienced firm
Engineer Procure Construct:

Operation & Maintenance
131
• Ensure system is working
properly for 20 yrs
• 24 Hr 7 days a week monitoring
• Quick response
• Warranty tracking

132
Discussion
• Contact:
– Eric McLean P.E EVP of Operations
Merrimack Street, Building 9 Entrance K Suite 202
Lawrence MA, MA 01843
978-221-2027
eric.mclean@americancapitalenergy.com

G1 Here Comes the Sun

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