When it comes to keeping solar farms efficient and operational, solar farm landscape maintenance is imperative.
When solar farms are not properly maintained, they can have negative consequences. Some of the most significant issues are dust mitigation and overgrowth of vegetation. Vegetation around solar farms, including the turf, can grow fast.
And when there is overgrowth, there are problems.
In this case study, we will dive into how effective grounds maintenance can support solar farm efficiency. We’ll discuss some of the common challenges and how solar farm grounds maintenance can overcome them.
We’ll also answer important questions around solar farm maintenance so that you can be well-educated on what’s involved in the upkeep.
Yes, solar farm grounds maintenance is essential to keep the solar farm operational. Regular upkeep will not only keep the solar farm running smoothly but also boost its efficiency.
On the flip side, failing to maintain solar farm grounds can have several negative impacts on solar farms.
We will dive into some of the specific negative consequences of failing to keep up with solar farm landscape maintenance further on.
Vegetation management is one of the biggest landscaping tasks required for solar farms. Solar farm vegetation can grow quickly and have a negative impact on panel efficiency if left to grow unchecked (which we’ll discuss next).
Vegetation management includes solar farm mowing, weed whacking, and targeted herbicide treatments.
In addition, panel cleaning typically needs to be performed one to two times per year, depending on the amount of dust, pollen, bird droppings, and the local climate.
Equipment inspection and repair require quarterly or bi-annual inspections. Environmental compliance is also an ongoing task, with annual environmental assessments sometimes performed.
Failing to keep up with proper solar farm maintenance can have negative consequences for the property, primarily related to reduced efficiency. But there are other negatives as well.
One of the biggest downsides of failing to maintain solar farm landscapes is reduced solar efficiency.
Vegetation overgrowth (like grass and tall weeds) can cast shadows on the solar panels and dramatically reduce a panel’s output. These losses can be compounded over time.
The same is true for the accumulation of dust and debris. Poorly maintained turf can lead to soil erosion, which can cause dust to be kicked up. Dirty panels can lose between 10 and 25 percent of their energy output.
In addition, solar panels perform best when they can stay cool through natural air circulation, which is why controlling solar farm vegetation is key.
There’s a financial burden when your solar farm is not running as efficiently as it could be.
On top of that, there can be extra costs associated with addressing unchecked vegetation. That’s because this can lead to the spread of invasive plant species, which can be more expensive to remove due to the need for specialized herbicides or mechanical extraction.
There are several ways in which unaddressed solar farm vegetation can create infrastructure risk.
For one, tall, dry grass or weeds can pose a fire risk during the summer. In addition, the roots of aggressive plants can interfere with underground cabling or panel foundation.
Vines or shrubs can also grow into sensitive equipment, leading to malfunctions and outages. And unmanaged vegetation can harbor rodents that chew through cables, causing costly damage and downtime.
Poor turf maintenance can degrade soil quality, resulting in erosion and increased runoff. Neglected turf can also fail to support local ecosystems, resulting in biodiversity loss.
Some local governments or regulatory bodies also have specific rules about maintaining the land around solar farms.
Failure to mow and control vegetation could result in fines or penalties if the facility does not meet local environmental or aesthetic standards.
There’s also the aesthetics to consider. When solar farm grounds maintenance is neglected, overgrowth can be perceived as an eyesore.
This can harm the farm’s relationship with neighboring communities and even stakeholders. Maintaining regular upkeep can demonstrate responsibility and also enhance public perception.
While we would not call solar farms high maintenance, they certainly aren’t maintenance-free. As we’ve already discussed above, there are important landscape maintenance tasks that should be performed to keep a solar farm running optimally.
We do find that solar farms tend to involve more maintenance than people generally realize from the start…usually because there’s a misunderstanding that these farms mostly “self-operate.”
But there are definitely maintenance tasks associated with a solar farm. As with anything, it’s important to have realistic expectations.
Sometimes, when thinking about how to minimize solar farm maintenance, there might be an idea of just not having grass that has to be maintained. But grass and plants play a critical role in the mitigation of dust.
Grass also helps to create a cooler microclimate around the panels, which in turn, improves panel efficiency.
There’s also an aesthetic factor to having grass growing at your solar farm.
At KD Landscape, we can do the installation of a solar farm from the ground up, as we also have a construction division. We are able to assist with the installation, install the seed, and then transition into maintaining the grass.
You do not want a lack of maintenance to impact your solar farm’s efficiency. But what should you look for in a company providing solar farm maintenance in Greater Chicago?
We’ll discuss a few important factors.
First and foremost, we would stress the importance of finding a company that has experience in maintaining solar farms. This is a fairly specialized service, and a solar farm poses unique challenges that a provider must understand how to handle.
Previous experience in solar farm maintenance will increase safety and ensure that your service provider knows how to troubleshoot problems that could arise. It will also minimize the risks associated with solar farm maintenance mistakes.
The commercial grounds management company must have unique equipment to care for these spaces efficiently and effectively.
Some of the solar farm mowing equipment that could be needed may include:
These mowers have a lower clearance to pass safely under solar panel arrays without causing damage. Often, tractor-mounted mowers or ride-on mowers with a low height are used.
In hard-to-reach areas or when safety is a concern, remote-controlled mowers can help. These allow precise control in navigating around sensitive equipment.
These types of mowers are sometimes used in tighter spaces between rows or near sensitive equipment.
Some solar farms use autonomous electric mowers programmed to mow the vegetation continuously.
These robotic systems can operate continuously, reducing labor costs and the need for human intervention.
Ultimately, you want to find a company that can provide you with the right options for your solar farm. Every solar farm is unique and will require custom solutions matched with the appropriate equipment.
That means finding a solar farm maintenance company that can adapt its services to your specific needs. At KD Landscape, we pride ourselves on being able to offer customized landscaping maintenance solutions to all of our clients.
We’re also known for being highly communicative and working closely with our clients.
KD Landscape has extensive experience managing large-scale commercial landscapes like solar farms. Our experts’ understanding of efficiently planning and executing large projects ensures effective vegetation management around solar panels.
We focus on planning and scheduling to ensure that vegetation is managed year-round to avoid overgrowth, shading, and system stress.
KD Landscape also has a strong commitment to sustainability, utilizing eco-friendly practices and promoting biodiversity through the selection of appropriate plants, which is crucial for solar farms aiming to minimize their environmental impact.
Our innovative solar farm vegetation management strategies ensure you stay within budget and receive the maintenance you need to reach your performance goals.
Want to learn more about commercial landscape design and maintenance in Greater Chicago? Get started today with an on-site consultation. We’ll review your options together so you can make a great choice.