Challenges and Solutions to Developing Solar Projects in Flood Zones

The importance of this topic: When developing a solar project in areas with increased flood risk, it is imperative to understand the cost impacts and potential mitigation that can be included in the analysis and design to maintain a cost effective opportunity. Custom engineering solutions can provide the necessary design solutions and permitting plan for the efficient development of utility scale solar projects in areas with increased flood risk.

The informative and relevant nature of your topic: Using a combination of proactive site analysis and best in engineering practices, a Project can anticipate and design around the risk of flooding.

Clear and immediate application to the learner’s work: This presentation explains some of the issues associated with the feasibility assessment, design and construction of sites within a floodplain. It will aim to show that with efficient planning and mitigation, sites with increased flood risk need not be excluded from the development of future solar facilities. This poster shows how to connect site survey results to actionable design, permitting work and cost estimating.

Who will benefit from this education (target audience): All project stakeholders from equipment vendors to developers and EPCs can be more competitive with an understanding of the limits and considerations for building in flood zones. This beneficial at all stages, but especially early in development - including designing more appropriately to local conditions and constraints, easing the permitting process through reduced design changes, more accurate energy yield analysis for PPA negotiations, and maximizing project value throughout development.