75% of all new renewable energy capacity additions worldwide in 2023 were solar PV. However, this clean energy source isn’t impact-free. For instance, utility-scale solar PV projects require significant land use. To reduce negative impacts, a nature-positive approach to utility vegetation management should be implemented.
“Clean energy generation plants are increasingly at the forefront of vanguard approaches, like encouraging pollinators, foresighted land use management, collaboration with farms and farmers, and keeping graziers and their animals safe in inclement weather,” says Piper Wilder, CEO at 60Hertz Energy.
In this article, we’ll go into utility-scale vegetation management, key aspects of an effective vegetation management program for solar, and share insights on how a CMMS can help make implementing these maintenance strategies easier and more effective.
What is Utility-Scale Vegetation Management?
Vegetation management for utility-scale solar refers to the practice of managing the vegetation in and around utility-scale clean energy installations, such as solar sites. Some approaches, like a nature-positive approach, improve or maintain the natural environment, in addition to protecting the energy assets. Plus, this can overlap with agrivoltaics.
For context, agrivoltaics combines solar energy and agriculture on the same land, offering a revolutionary approach to land use. Instead of dedicating vast areas solely to solar farms, this dual-use strategy integrates crop cultivation, livestock grazing, or pollinator habitats beneath and around solar panels. Here, too, livestock can be used for vegetation clearing.
Source: NREL
Key Aspects of a Utility-Scale Vegetation Management Program
Proper veg management is imperative for maximizing the output of your solar site. Overgrown trees, grass, and shrubs can block sunlight, impair panel efficiency, cause damage, and heighten wildfire risk.
Proactive measures like mowing, pruning, trimming, herbicides, or grazing can extend panel lifespan, prevent underperformance, and avoid revenue loss. Despite its importance, vegetation management is often neglected.
One earth-friendly solution that might surprise you? Targeted grazing (also known as solar grazing).
The Power of Solar Grazing
By using sheep or goats to graze beneath solar panels, you can efficiently control plant growth without the need for manual or mechanical clearance. This way, you can also reduce costs and emissions. Sheep are especially effective because of their preference for the cool shade of solar panels and ability to reach difficult areas.
This natural solution not only maintains vegetation but also provides a nutritious food source for livestock, improves the productivity of your solar site, and boosts the eco-friendly image of solar companies. A CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) can also help make the most of your vegetation management.
How a CMMS Helps Build More Effective Utility-Scale Vegetation Management
A CMMS is essential for planning, budgeting, and routine maintenance of vegetation management for utility-scale solar assets. Here’s how it helps:
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- Efficient planning: Centralize and streamline the planning process. Schedule tasks, set priorities, and allocate resources based on site-specific information and historical data for optimized maintenance plans. Generate optimized maintenance plans tailored to the specific needs of each site, ensuring all aspects of vegetation management are covered comprehensively.
- Cost control: Track costs related to labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors. Use historical data and predictive analytics for accurate budgeting. This prevents cost overruns and ensures your vegetation management practices remain cost-effective.
- Regular scheduling: Automate recurring maintenance schedules based on growth patterns or seasonal needs. Regular maintenance reduces excessive vegetation growth, shading, and fire hazards. Maintain the performance and longevity of your solar assets through consistent maintenance.
- Task tracking: Document activities, take before-and-after images, and report issues effectively. Maintain transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance. This improves transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance, making sure all activities are tracked and documented accurately.
- Data analysis and reporting: Leverage data analysis and reporting functionalities to gain valuable insights into vegetation management activities. Analyze historical data to identify patterns, trends, and potential risks. Use this information to refine maintenance plans, optimize resource allocation, and improve decision-making processes. Generate comprehensive reports on performance, costs, and compliance, helping stakeholders assess and enhance the effectiveness of ongoing maintenance strategies.
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5 Advantages of Utility-Scale Vegetation Management for Utility-Scale Solar PV
Vegetation is responsible for nearly 25% of solar site outages. In addition to sustaining the land where a solar site is located, there are a number of benefits to implementing vegetation management to a site’s O&M practices.
Regulatory Compliance
Adopting effective vegetation management practices can help utility-scale developers meet environmental regulations and standards, potentially avoiding legal complications and fostering smoother project approvals.
Every state has their own rules and environmental requirements for utility-scale solar PV developers, be sure to check with each jurisdiction for specific requirements.
Cost Reduction
Effective industrial vegetation management can help you reduce maintenance costs over time. Natural vegetation control methods, like using native plants that require less water and maintenance, can be more cost-effective than traditional landscaping.
While the initial costs of planting and establishing right-fit plants on a site are higher than installing cement or gravel surfaces, the long-term annual maintenance costs are often lower.
Competitive Advantage
Companies and people are increasingly wanting to know if the energy they use to power their homes and businesses is clean and supportive of their environment. Being able to provide them with clean, sustainable energy will make your solar energy company an attractive choice.
Moreover, asset managers using utility vegetation management companies for sustainable practices often gain positive public perception, enhancing their brand reputation and potentially increasing customer loyalty and investor interest.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Proper vegetation management can prevent shading of panels and ensure maximum sunlight exposure, which can significantly boost energy efficiency and output of a solar site’s panels.
Soil Stability and Water Management
Native plants and grasses help in soil retention and prevent erosion. Additionally, these plants can improve water infiltration and reduce runoff, aiding in water management around solar installations.
Simplify Vegetation Management for Your Solar Site
Learn how a CMMS lowers maintenance costs and boosts compliance.
Streamline Your Utility-Scale Vegetation Management Workflows with 60Hertz
If you’re ready to embrace the ecological, financial, and operational benefits of vegetation management, it’s time to connect with 60Hertz Energy. We’re a CMMS provider dedicated to making the renewable energy sector more efficient, sustainable, and less costly.
By integrating our CMMS into your operations, you can ensure that your commitment to an earth-friendly approach is not only a policy but a practical, everyday reality.
Optimize your management strategies with the 60Hertz CMMS today to reap the benefits of increased efficiency, better compliance, and a significantly reduced environmental footprint.
Contact us today to book a demo of our software.
