Private Utility Locating for Solar

Private utility locating, Drone Aerial Photography, and Phase I Environmental Due Diligence are each critical aspects of any project developer embarking on a construction project, but the importance of each service is particularly pronounced at utility scale and community level ground mount solar energy and storage sites.

Within the realm of utility locating, these sites are typically expansive and outside the purview of state 811 systems, covering large areas of land where solar panels will be installed to harness sunlight and convert it into renewable energy. Given the vastness of these sites and the complexity of underground infrastructure networks, accurate utility locating becomes paramount to ensure the safety of workers, prevent damage to existing utilities, and avoid costly delays and disruptions to the project timeline even at sites which are historically open agricultural land.

One of the primary reasons utility locating is essential at solar mount project sites is safety. Construction workers and equipment operators must be aware of the location of underground utilities and underground fuel tanks to avoid accidental damage. Striking underground utilities or fuel tanks can pose serious safety hazards, including the risk of injury or death from electrocution, explosions, fires, and environmental contamination. Underground utilities in pastures and farmland may include irrigation systems, drainage pipes, or utility lines for remote structures such as barns or storage facilities. Accidental damage to these utilities can lead to water wastage, soil erosion, or crop loss disrupting agricultural operations which may continue alongside the solar energy plant.

At SiteQuest, our private utility locators have the experience and training to accurately identify the precise locations of underground utilities through utility locating techniques such as electromagnetic (EM) induction supplemented with ground penetrating radar (GPR).  Unlike many of our competitors, our staff are trained at Staking University in utility locating competency, giving peace of mind to construction teams that can implement appropriate safety measures and procedures to mitigate these risks effectively.

Furthermore, utility locating helps to safeguard the integrity of existing infrastructure and prevent costly repairs and service interruptions. Damage to underground utilities during construction can result in service outages, disrupting essential services such as electricity, water supply, petroleum & natural gas pipelines, and communication networks for surrounding communities. Not only does this inconvenience residents and businesses, but it also incurs significant costs for repairs, restoration efforts, and insurance & legal liabilities. By mapping out the locations of underground utilities before commencing construction, project developers can implement strategies to avoid these utilities or take necessary precautions to work around them safely, minimizing risk of accidental damage and associated expenses.

In addition to safety and infrastructure protection, accurate utility locating plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficiency and success of solar mount projects. Solar panel installation requires precise positioning and alignment to maximize energy capture and optimize performance. Underground utilities, if left unidentified, can interfere with the layout and placement of solar panels, leading to suboptimal energy production and reduced efficiency. By conducting thorough utility locating surveys before construction begins, project planners can identify potential conflicts and adjust the layout of solar arrays accordingly, ensuring unobstructed access to sunlight and maximizing energy output over the project’s lifespan.

Moreover, utility locating helps streamline the construction process and minimize project delays. Discovering the presence of underground utilities during construction can lead to unexpected delays as work may need to be halted while utility companies are contacted, repairs are made, and safety assessments are conducted. These delays can have cascading effects on the project schedule, resulting in increased costs and missed deadlines. By proactively identifying and addressing potential utility conflicts through comprehensive utility locating, project managers can mitigate the risk of delays and keep the construction timeline on track, ultimately saving time and resources.

In conclusion, utility locating by trained professionals is indispensable for solar mount project sites due to its critical role in mitigating risk, ensuring safety, protecting infrastructure, reducing costs, optimizing efficiency, and minimizing delays. By accurately mapping out the locations of underground utilities before construction begins, project developers can create a safer work environment, prevent damage to existing infrastructure, enhance the performance of solar installations, and facilitate smoother project execution while achieving financial KPIs. Investing in quality trained utility locating is not only a prudent decision but also an essential prerequisite for the successful implementation of solar energy projects.