Program Manager Kimley-Horn Greenwood Village, Colorado
Presentation Description: Soil is an important consideration in design of any energy system, but it is far too often a consideration merely for structural, erosion and drainage considerations. As the opportunities surrounding agrivoltaics, native plant restoration, carbon capture, and soil recovery continue to increase on energy sites in general, and solar sites in particular, it’s perhaps time to adjust the narrative for how we address and incorporate soil considerations universally on energy sites. This presentation will examine three key steps in better addressing soil in design, including 1.) the benefits and methods of early characterization of topsoil, 2.) tailored grading approaches to maximize preservation of topsoil and, conversely, minimize erosion and stormwater management measures; and, 3.) restoration planning that maximizes multi-uses of land and potential land value following construction and facilitates successful decommissioning.
