Solar
Civil Engineering for Solar Development
Solar development is moving quickly—and successful projects require more than panels and power generation. From site feasibility and land-use approvals to grading, drainage, access, surveying, and construction, the civil challenges of a solar project can have a significant impact on its schedule, cost, and long-term performance.
Lamp Rynearson has provided civil engineering and surveying services for solar energy projects since 2015. Our experience ranges from smaller solar sites to utility-scale developments from 500 kW to 400 MW, including projects incorporating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
How We Help Your Community.
Topographic surveys are completed to a high standard of precision and accuracy by experienced Lamp Rynearson crews. With the latest in LIDAR, photogrammetry, total station and GPS technology at our fingertips, we can complete topographic surveys on any structures or over any terrain.
If you are buying or developing property, our survey team is experienced at creating ALTA’s, subdivision plats or survey maps as may be required by title companies to document your purchase. The intricate process includes extensive public and private records review, a thorough field investigation, and precise analysis of the findings to make sure there are no discrepancies regarding the property’s physical and documented boundaries. If clarification or rectification of the property boundary or site encumbrances is required, Lamp Rynearson surveyors are experts in setting new markers and rewriting legal descriptions that are agreeable to all stakeholders involved, so that you can proceed quickly and confidently with your purchase.
Lamp Rynearson survey staff is knowledgeable in easement and right of way vacation or dedication. Lamp Rynearson staff are experts in the municipal process for dedication and vacations.
In order to begin a ground mounted Solar project, site entitlement must be obtained from the local jurisdiction, be it either with the County or within City Limits. Depending on local zoning site entitlements could be a simple site plan (use be right) that has an administrative review or as complicated as a Use By Special Review or 1041 that requires in depth review and public hearings for site approval and entitlements. Whatever the process, Lamp Rynearson has the expertise to work with the local jurisdictions to provide documentation and represent the project or client and work towards site approval.
Lamp Rynearson can provide desktop reviews for high level site due diligence and assessing risk for the owner.
Once the site has site entitlements, then typically Lamp Rynearson works with an EPC contractor (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) for the development of the construction plans to be used during construction. During construction the projects are typically managed as a Design Build. Lamp Rynearson prepares construction plans that meet the needs of the Local Jurisdiction, the EPC contractor and other reviewers.
Construction plans are prepared to minimize grading and earth disturbing activities.
Construction plans content typically consists of the following:
- Horizontal control, including verification of Solar North vs. Grid North to maximize energy production
- Grading Design
- Sediment and Erosion Control Design
- Sediment Ponds and drainage control features as required
- Project Specific Details
Lamp Rynearson will work with the EPC contractor during the design and construction phases.
Assist the Developer or EPC contractor in obtaining permits throughout the entitlement and construction. Typical permits will include crossing permits, access permits and construction activities stormwater permits.
Construction survey has varied from setting a survey hub for every pile or structure being constructed to setting project control and allowing the site survey team to set points for pile driving.
Construction observation or 3rd party review is available for clients and developers. These services include visiting the site and observing construction and providing observation reports. Construction observation typically involves grading improvements, drainage or water quality structures to BMP selection and confirming installation is in compliance.
Throughout entitlement, design, construction to close-out Lamp Rynearson will work with the Owner, Developer and EPC contractor as part of your development team. We strive to be your 1st contact and be a part of the team and will work with you from start to finish.
Lamp Rynearson is available to assist and attend stakeholder coordination and weekly owner meetings. Lamp Rynearson’s staff will travel to meet owners at their offices, project site or virtual meetings. Lamp Rynearson works will the entire project team to help facilitate a successful project.
Layout optimization can be performed by Lamp Rynearson. Layout optimization will look at reducing grading, traffic routes, avoidance of natural barriers, avoid existing drainage patterns and wildlife significant areas. Overall optimization looks to reducing improvements that will save time and costs during construction. Typical layout design optimization has been performed for sites larger than 200 MW in size.
Supporting Solar Projects from Site Evaluation Through Construction
Our team works alongside solar developers, owners, operators, EPC contractors, and project partners to identify site constraints early and develop practical solutions that keep projects moving.
Our solar development experience includes:
- Site feasibility and due diligence
- Boundary, ALTA/NSPS, and topographic surveying
- Civil site design
- Grading and earthwork optimization
- Hydrology, drainage, and stormwater management
- Access road design
- Erosion and sediment control
- Floodplain Modeling and Hydrologic Analysis
- Storm Inundation Analysis
- Land-use and permitting support
- Utility coordination
- Construction staking
- Construction administration and observation
- Battery Energy Storage Systems site development
Colorado’s Energy Landscape Continues to Evolve
Colorado continues to advance an ambitious clean-energy transition. State law requires certain electric utilities and other covered entities to develop Clean Energy Plans designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions associated with Colorado electricity sales by at least 80% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. Colorado has also established a goal for qualifying retail utilities to provide customers with energy generated from 100% clean energy resources by 2050, where technically and economically feasible and in the public interest.
Recent legislation has continued to expand opportunities for distributed generation, community solar, and energy storage—creating new opportunities as well as new considerations for site development, permitting, infrastructure, and utility coordination. For solar developers, getting the civil fundamentals right can save time and streamline a project from permitting through construction.
Have a Solar Project in Mind?
Bring us in early. Whether you’re evaluating a potential site, navigating development constraints, moving through permitting, or preparing for construction, Lamp Rynearson can help identify challenges and develop a practical path forward.
