Westward Assists Solar Companies with Site Engineering and Environmental Assessments to Construct Solar Farms
A big parcel of flat land near Pflugerville, Texas was the perfect spot to develop a renewable energy source in the form of a large solar farm. Westward was originally contracted by Recurrent Energy LLC to serve as Client Representative and manage permitting, engineering and environmental consulting services on their behalf. The project was to assist in the development of an approximately 936 acre, 144-megawatt Solar Electricity Generation Facility in Travis County.
The project began in early spring of 2019, where Westward was engaged to represent the client in public meetings, assist with permitting, organizing construction and permitting schedules, and coordinate with subcontractors and other consultants.
Because of our role as client representative, we shepherded the project in numerous ways, which included providing third party review of civil engineering design and coordination of Travis County requirements to obtain Development, Driveway, Utility, and Septic (OSSF) permits, while acting as the engineer of record on the driveway permit.
In addition to civil services, Westward’s environmental compliance and ecology teams provided a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI – required by Travis County), stormwater inspection services (Clean Water Act Section 402 and TPDES program), third party review of construction SWPPP, Clean Water Action Section 404 compliance including non-reporting Nationwide Permits, and coordination of cultural resource review and asbestos testing of existing structures.
Duke Energy Renewables, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, acquired the Pflugerville Solar project from Recurrent Energy in December, 2020, to increase their solar portfolio and “meet the increasing demand for power in the state and support our longstanding relationship with Austin Energy,” said Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Renewables in a press release.
“Because we are a nimble organization and have a multitude of disciplines under one roof, we have the ability to guide projects from start to finish seamlessly for clients,” said Curt Campbell, PE, CFM, LEED AP ND, Vice President Engineering & Natural Resources. Campbell said Westward is now contracted with Duke to assist in the close out of the project, which should be online in October.
The 144-MWac Pflugerville Solar project will generate enough energy to power approximately 27,000 homes, providing reliable, renewable energy to the City of Austin and its customers.