Solar Energy Facility Design & Permitting at a Landfill

Through a third-party Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Weston & Sampson was selected to design and permit the siting of two separate solar arrays – one on an area originally designated as a coal storage yard and another on top of a closed coal ash landfill on site – that would add 12 MW of solar energy and increase the facility’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).

Due to the facility’s industrial history, our team began by performing a Phase I environmental site assessment. We then pursued and received several permits from the South Florida Water Management District to allow the construction of the arrays on the closed coal ash landfill. We provided civil, structural, and electrical design services and because both sets of solar arrays needed to be ground-mounted, our design included a ballasted system that would not compromise the integrity of the capping system. We also provided limited construction-phase engineering services. The two new solar arrays at the are now constructed and fully operational.