Environmental and Engineering Solutions: Lapeer Solar Park

 

Finding and developing the right site in Michigan

Inovateus Solar participated in an open competitive RFP process with DTE Energy to find and develop solar sites in Michigan. With a very limited review and response period of 60 days, TRC helped Inovateus demonstrate the suitability and advantages of a large property in Lapeer, Michigan.

TRC conducted an expedited wetlands delineation of 350 acres, completed a regulatory review in less than 30 days and supported document preparation for the RFP response. After the project was awarded to Inovateus and DTE, TRC provided additional services to support solar development, including:

• Site plan review assistance and engagement with local government agencies.
• Environmental due diligence, including due care construction planning for a small segment of land contaminated from a former orchard.
• Solar panel layout planning assistance based on likely permitting sensitivities and construction sequencing requirements.
• Soil erosion and sedimentation control design and permitting.
• Joint permit for construction in a flood plain.
• County drain permit for installation of HDD-drilled electrical conduit under regulated drain.
• Driveway engineering design and permitting.
• Roadway culvert load engineering studies.
• Threatened and endangered species review and environmental awareness training for construction managers.

DTE broke ground on construction in 2016 and completed the project in late 2017.