Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEXPANDED Ops and Maint Plan Page 1 EXPANDED OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN Wakeby Road Solar Project 810 Wakeby Road Marstons Mills - Barnstable, Massachusetts ADE Project 3064.04 February 1, 2023 The project proponent, TJA Clean Energy (TJA), or subsequent owner/operator of the facility will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installation, including the land occupied within the fenced area, the access roads leading into the fenced-in area, and the utility lines serving the array, as shown within the Site Plans. The area encompassed by the array is ±10.26-acres and is herein referred to as the Solar O&M Area. This Operation and Maintenance Plan includes measures for maintaining year-round safe access for emergency vehicles, snow plowing, stormwater controls, and general procedures, and a yearly schedule for the operation and maintenance of the facilities including fencing, and maintenance of landscaping. 1.0 COMMISSIONING PLAN Pursuant to §240-44.2.F.8.a, a commissioning plan is being provided to describe the general procedure and requirements for commissioning the 810 Wakeby Road Solar Project. 1.1 Personnel Commissioning and testing shall be done by qualified personnel who have skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved. 1.2 Procedure Outline The commissioning procedure of the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array firstly shall verify that the system is compliant with the Uniform Code and the National Electric Code (NEC). Additionally, functionality of all systems shall be verified including start-up, shut- down, and any applicable emergency systems. System documentation shall be completed, and user orientation and safety training shall be conducted for applicable personnel. Expanded Operations and Maintenance Plan Wakeby Road Solar Project 810 Wakeby Road - Barnstable, MA February 1, 2023 2 1.3 System Testing and Measurements Electrical testing shall be conducted on applicable system components at the time of commissioning and periodically over the lifetime of the system to ensure that the system complies with all NEC and Uniform Code requirements. Electrical testing includes but are not limited to continuity, resistance, polarity, voltage, current, and performance testing to verify all systems are functioning as expected. 1.4 Actions Following Commissioning Once commissioning has been completed by qualified personnel, a corrective action plan shall be created for any open or ongoing issues that are allowed to be continued after commissioning. In addition, a report detailing the results of system commissioning and electrical testing shall be developed and submitted to the Building Commissioner prior to final inspection and approval. This report shall be maintained at an approved on-site location. 2.0 FIRE SAFETY COMPLIANCE PLAN The ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system and its associated controls and safety systems are in compliance with the 527 CMR 1.00 Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. 3.0 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL The Operation and Maintenance Manual describes continuing solar facility maintenance and property upkeep, as well as design, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning information and shall meet all requirements set forth in the Uniform Code. 3.1 Service Visits An O&M contractor that specializes in commercial scale solar farms will be contracted to provide service visits two times per calendar year, occurring approximately six (6) months apart. The service visits will incorporate the inspection and maintenance procedures outlined in Section 3.2 (Preventative Maintenance), Section 3.4 (Equipment Inspections) and Section 3.5 (Vegetation Maintenance). After each service visit, the O&M contractor will issue a report to the current Project Owner and/or Operator. The report will summarize all maintenance and inspection activities conducted, identify any issues encountered, and provide recommendations to correct any of the issues. After review and any clarifications Expanded Operations and Maintenance Plan Wakeby Road Solar Project 810 Wakeby Road - Barnstable, MA February 1, 2023 3 requested by Project Owner and/or Operator, the report will be forwarded to the Town, as required. 3.2 Preventative Maintenance The following Preventative Maintenance (PM) services will be performed during each service visit: (a) Ensure the site is clean, secure and any site management such as cutting grass (see below) or cleaning of modules is performed as needed. (b) Ensure the proper structure and operation of all racking, modules, wiring, electrical boxes, conduit, string, inverters and sensors. (c) Visual checks of each module for broken glass, debris, or other causes of low performance. (d) Ensure that the racking system (posts, crossbeams, brackets, bolts, clips, etc.) that support the panels are free of major rust or corrosion. (e) Ensure that all signs/labels for inverters, disconnects, and safety warnings are intact and legible. (f) Ensure that all enclosures, fences, and facilities that are part of installation are maintained to retain original appearance, aside from reasonable wear and tear, including but not limited to paint, roadways, gates and access panels. 3.3 Continuous Monitoring The following will be performed continuously for the duration of the project, by either Project Owner/Operator or a company that specializes in solar monitoring: (a) Monitoring of system production. (b) A monthly report will be produced comparing system output to expected production considering actual climatic conditions. Project Owner/Operator or the O&M contractor shall summarize this information. (c) Responding to alerts from the array’s automated alert system(s) regarding potential system malfunction(s), and if necessary, a service visit by an O&M contractor. 3.4 Equipment Maintenance Project Owner/Operator and/or an O&M contractor will conduct regular, scheduled equipment maintenance biannually, including but not limited to the following: Expanded Operations and Maintenance Plan Wakeby Road Solar Project 810 Wakeby Road - Barnstable, MA February 1, 2023 4 Panels (a) Should panel washing be determined to be necessary, panels will be washed utilizing only water. Use of a squeegee is permitted for solar modules. Soap or any detergents are not required to clean the panels and are not recommended. (b) Conditions such as snow and ice will be removed as necessary. (c) Damaged or inoperative array panels observed during service visits will be investigated to determine the cause of the damage or inoperability with the plan to prevent, repair and/or replace as soon as possible. (d) Array panels that have deteriorated in efficiency in excess of the manufacturer’s warranty will be reported to the manufacturer for repair or replacement as soon as possible. String Inverters Inverters will checked for the following during inspections: (a) Power capacitors for any sign of damage. (b) Any visible discoloration. (c) Voltage and current readings. (d) Corrosion, dust and water ingress on terminals and cables. (e) Condition of both the AC and DC surge suppressors. (f) Operation of all safety devices. (g) Cleaning and replacement of air filters. Racking (a) Racking system components that have major rust or corrosion will be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. (b) Visual inspections will be completed of the equipment, including sub-assemblies, wiring harnesses, contacts and major components. Other Components The following will also be checked during semi-annual inspections: (a) Visual inspection of all feeder terminations for corrosion and proper attachment. (b) Inspection and testing of surge arrestor and lightning protection operation. Expanded Operations and Maintenance Plan Wakeby Road Solar Project 810 Wakeby Road - Barnstable, MA February 1, 2023 5 (c) Ground continuity testing, lightning protection and overall system safety inspection, to include correction of any unsafe or abnormal issues. (d) Inspection/survey of all combiner boxes, disconnects (AC&DC), switchgear, and inverters with an infrared camera, with the purpose of detecting hotspots, bad connections, and related issues. (e) Mechanical and structural integrity of the system, and correction of issues. (f) Modules for excessive dirt and debris. (g) Replacement of unserviceable or degraded system labeling. (h) Testing of voltage and amperage of all source conductors. (i) Documentation and inspections reporting to include: i. PV System Quality Assurance and Quality Control Plan; ii. PV System Commissioning Form; and iii. System Component Torque Specifications Form. 3.5 Vegetation Maintenance (a) The Solar O&M area will be mowed to maintain a grass height of no more than 12 inches. Use of a weed whacker will be used underneath the panels and around the posts of the racking system. Woody seedlings may also be removed by hand. No herbicides or chemicals will be used to manage vegetation. (b) An O&M contractor shall monitor the ground cover growth rate and system performance to determine whether vegetation maintenance frequency requires modifications. (c) An O&M contractor should be aware of the locations of any wiring associated with the system. TJA shall complete a site walk of the Solar O&M area with any new O&M contractor before scheduling the first vegetation maintenance event. (d) The state of vegetation will be monitored during normal maintenance visits and as appropriate, a landscape professional will be contracted to repair any areas of concern. (e) A landscape professional will be contracted to perform the following adjustments if areas of topsoil are observed within the solar array limit: i. Adjust the seed mix that is appropriate to the current vegetative cover and the season in which seed is spread. ii. Manually rake topsoil to prepare for seeding. Expanded Operations and Maintenance Plan Wakeby Road Solar Project 810 Wakeby Road - Barnstable, MA February 1, 2023 6 iii. Spread seed atop raked area at an appropriate density. iv. Implement temporary precautions within the seeded area to help the restoration process. v. Monitor the vegetative cover to restoration completion. (f) The state of vegetation outside of the fenced in solar development area will be monitored during normal maintenance visits to confirm that excessive growth which will result in shading of the solar panels has not occurred. If shading is visible, a landscape professional will be contacted to trim/cut the vegetation as necessary. (g) The use of herbicides for maintenance of vegetation throughout the array and outside the fence is prohibited, unless otherwise approved/allowed by the Town. 3.6 Access Roadways, Perimeter Fences, and Access Gates (a) As part of the bi-annual service visit, the gravel surface of the access road shall be inspected. This inspection will cover the following areas at a minimum: settlement, rutting, erosion/barren spots, vegetation/tree growth, wash boarding, and potholes. A roadway maintenance firm, to be hired by the developer, shall immediately repair any deficiencies encountered during the inspection to the extent it cannot be handled by the O&M contractor. (b) During the bi-annual service visit, the perimeter fencing and access gates shall be inspected for workable locks and knox boxes, settlement, erosion around post footings, significant corrosion, and signs of vandalism (i.e. holes cut in the wire, removed wooden panels, project ID signs damaged/stolen). A fence maintenance firm, to be hired by the developer, shall immediately repair any deficiencies encountered during the inspection to the extent it cannot be handled by the O&M contractor. (c) Emergency access to the Site will be maintained year-round, including removal of snow and overgrown vegetation. The gravel access road will be maintained at all times to allow emergency vehicle access. 4.0 EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (a) Erosion control barriers (haybales, silt fence, etc.) should be inspected immediately after each run-off producing rainfall event and at least daily during prolonged rainfall. Sediment deposits must be removed when the level of deposition reaches approximately one-half the height of the barrier. Sediment shall be disposed of in a suitable area and protected from erosion by either structural or vegetative means. Expanded Operations and Maintenance Plan Wakeby Road Solar Project 810 Wakeby Road - Barnstable, MA February 1, 2023 7 (b) Detention and Infiltration Basins shall be inspected after every major storm event (2" or greater) during construction and for the first few months after construction to ensure proper stabilization and function, thereafter inspect at least twice per year during wet weather to ensure the system is draining properly. Check for accumulation of sediment and ponding of water. If ponding water is visible inside the basin for several days after a storm event, notify the engineer for possible remedial measures. Remove sediment as necessary during construction, while the system is dry, and at least every 5 years after construction. (c) Construction Entrance/Tracking Pad should be maintained in a condition that will prevent tracking or flow of sediment onto the public right-of-way. This may require periodic topdressing with additional stone. The entrance pad should be inspected weekly at a minimum, after major storm events (1” or greater) and during periods of heavy use. When mud and soil particles clog the voids in the gravel, the pad should be top dressed with new stone or replaced completely. 5.0 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN A copy of the approved Emergency Operations Plan will be given to the system owner, local fire department, and local fire code official. A permanent copy will also be placed in a location accessible to facility personnel, fire code officials, and emergency responders.