Profile Solutions Webcast

Westwood Webcast

Webcast

The renewables industry is well positioned to improve the sustainability of solar generation sites with respect to soil health, selection of appropriate vegetation, erosion control and stormwater management techniques. This presentation will review current practices while also providing alternatives to common approaches to provide additional tools and techniques for your toolbox.

Emphasis will be placed on the critical need for early site assessment and evaluation to set achievable goals for the site. Examples where GIS is utilized will also be included to demonstrate how these preliminary techniques support a prescriptive plan of action with tailored approaches for erosion control and stormwater management.

Specific scenarios will include situations such as the following: 

• Approaches to projects with higher risk factors for soil health and erosion in addition to sites with environmental opportunities.

• How, when and where to soil test to help ensure successful site reclamation. 

• Examination of seeding timing, selection choices and intentional design. 

• Identifying challenges with large cut/fill operations, deficient organic matter in soils, tree clearing and pre/post-construction site soil pH adjustment. 

• Establishing vegetation in rocky soils or on areas of the project with steep slopes or higher stormwater sheet flow in addition to combating channelized flow conditions on sites.

• Projects with tight deadlines or shrinking application windows. 

The combined subject-matter expertise between a manufacturer and engineering team will emphasize improving project outcomes by fostering collaborative teamwork as well as better and earlier conversations among manufacturers, developers, engineers and contractors. This presentation will demonstrate how continuous improvement in industry techniques, validated field results and problem-solving approaches will ultimately contribute to the next greener chapter of America's clean energy future.

Learning Objectives:

· Identify the best methods to approach solar site revegetation, find site challenges in advance and assess soil health.

· Understand how to utilize GIS techniques and analysis to target specific areas of the site and categorically understand challenges related to initial conditions, construction practices, timelines and intended outcomes of these areas.

· Learn practical strategies to recommend solutions in advance, create effective value-engineering solutions and support deployment of these during construction.

· Achieve efficient and compliant erosion control at solar sites, ultimately contributing to America's clean energy future.

Speakers:

J.B Dixon, Construction Stormwater Permitting Manager - Westwood Professional Services

J.B. Dixon has 25 years of experience in construction stormwater compliance and has been with Westwood for four years. As Westwood's Construction Stormwater Permitting Manager, Dixon is responsible for the development, updating and coordination of NPDES/SWPPP compliance services, including narratives, erosion and sediment control plans, typical details, inspections, and other construction stormwater compliance services. He provides quality control, and implements service and product industry standards for Westwood clients nationwide.

Steve Macshane, CESSWI, Market Development Manager – Renewables - Profile Products LLC

Steve MacShane, CESSWI, is the Market Development Manager for Profile Products, LLC, focusing on the renewable energy industry. He has nine years of industry experience in erosion and sediment control, turfgrass management, and project support to create better environmental outcomes. He has written several technical articles in industry trade publications on hydraulically applied erosion control systems and applications. MacShane holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, and is a member of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and a key contributor to Profile’s environmental sustainability initiatives. He regularly interacts with project engineers, project managers, contractors and distributor partners in the civil construction industry to utilize more environmentally sustainable materials to solve site challenges.