TtEC is a key partner in the development of alternative energy, including solar resources. Though early utility-scale siting has focused initially on solar thermal development, TtEC has also worked in other solar technologies and has the staff and knowledge to continue to support the development of clean, green energy as it continues to diversify.

Our thorough understanding of alternative energy technologies, combined with our permitting expertise, made us an excellent candidate for this assignment. We have provided solar development support for multiple clients since 2005. TtEC is particularly well-suited for the initial concentration in the southwest and on public lands because of our excellent working relationships with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) local offices and current experience in permitting projects in the southwest, essential to understanding present and future solar permitting needs. We provide a range of services that include, but are not limited to, site selection, critical issues analysis (CIA), right-of-way (ROW) application support, plan of development (POD) preparation, permit feasibility analysis, complex and extensive biological, cultural, visual, socioeconomic, and noise studies, environmental analysis and certification documentation, agency support, consultation negotiations, federal, state, and local permitting tasks and preliminary site civil engineering, including access roads and preliminary design.

Site Selection

When working to screen potential areas for the identification of a possible solar energy project, TtEC makes intensive use of GIS resources. In addition, we utilize a flexible, nationwide pool of planners, archaeologists, and biologists familiar with the potentially affected local environments. TtEC developed a rapid first screen using solar index information, distance to transmission and natural gas, slope, and land ownership which we routinely use as the initial selection criteria. We then prepared an exclusionary analysis to identify areas that may have substantial challenges for solar energy development using environmental and land management or zoning filters that we develop based on each locale’s conditions and our in-depth knowledge of local, regional, and national permitting requirements. Finally, we applied technology-specific engineering exclusionary filters, which we were developed in close partnership with our clients. Areas considered for solar facilities were located in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.

Critical Issues Analysis (CIA) and Right-of-Way (ROW) Applications Support

TtEC routinely completes critical environmental issues analysis (CIA) reports to characterize environmental and permitting risks at candidate solar sites in a matter of days for each site. The reports frequently included recommendations for additional investigations to help identify and reduce environmental issues associated with development. In one case, a more in-depth permit feasibility analysis was conducted to facilitate risk management decisions and to develop a permitting strategy that worked for our client’s business plan as well as for the land managing agency, BLM.

Plan of Development and Preliminary Design

TtEC has prepared a number of ROW applications (SF- 299) for sites on public lands in Arizona and California. In recent months, TtEC prepared plans of development (PODs) as required by the BLM. BLM gave all solar proponents only 60 days to provide detailed project descriptions for each site, including grading and drainage plans. TtEC’s engineering staff has prepared preliminary design drawings for each facility, working in close coordination with the client’s engineering staff, and prepared detailed project descriptions for each of the proposed facilities within the BLM’s timeframe.

Permitting

TtEC is also assisting our clients with the initial stages of a major permitting task that will culminate in an Application for Certification (AFC) to the California Energy Commission and the BLM for utility-scale concentrating solar trough facilities. The scope of work has included cultural and biological studies for two sites, as well as the preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) for the solar metering (measurement of solar intensity) and groundwater investigations. TtEC is now preparing the AFC exhibits and will conduct the remaining needed surveys over the next several months to comply with the proposed filing schedule.