Archived
This content is available here strictly for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping and as such it may not be fully accessible. If you work or study at University of Kentucky and would like to request an accessible version, please use the SensusAccess Document Converter.
Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Start Date
5-5-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
5-5-2026 1:30 PM
Description
Solar Solution for Closed CCR Units and Adjacent Land Chris Fairey1, Kenny Hughes1 1Watershed Geo, 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy, Suite 180, Alpharetta, GA 30009 KEYWORDS: Solar, Racking, Brownfield, Greenfield, Slopes, PowerCap® ABSTRACT With the reduction in coal fired power generation, there is a consistent trend in the industry to supplement generation with solar power. The property located within and surrounding these decommissioned power plants offers a significant opportunity to create a renewable solar power asset. The PowerCap® Nail to Rail System, developed by Watershed Geo, is an advanced solar racking solution designed for sites that do not require environmental closure such as closed CCR units and adjacent land areas. This system is engineered to address challenging terrains such as brownfields, sloped surfaces, and greenfields by integrating a geomembrane with a proprietary anchoring method. The resulting low-profile foundation minimizes the need for ballast while ensuring structural stability. With a power density of approximately 1 MW per 2 acres, the system optimizes land utilization and reduces ongoing maintenance requirements, including mowing, dust control, and erosion repair. Key benefits include enhanced power density through efficient terrain adaptation, cost-effective deployment with reduced material and labor requirements, operational simplicity, and customized site design. Scalable from pilot projects to multi-megawatt installations, PowerCap® Nail to Rail enables the transformation of underutilized land into productive renewable energy assets. The presentation will provide details on the design, installation and performance of the system as well as best practices from pilot installations installed to date. Submitted for consideration for WOCA 2026, Lexington, KY.
Document Type
Presentation
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Energy Systems Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Mining Engineering Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, Structural Materials Commons, Sustainability Commons
Solar Solution for Closed CCR Units and Adjacent Land
Lexington, Kentucky
Solar Solution for Closed CCR Units and Adjacent Land Chris Fairey1, Kenny Hughes1 1Watershed Geo, 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy, Suite 180, Alpharetta, GA 30009 KEYWORDS: Solar, Racking, Brownfield, Greenfield, Slopes, PowerCap® ABSTRACT With the reduction in coal fired power generation, there is a consistent trend in the industry to supplement generation with solar power. The property located within and surrounding these decommissioned power plants offers a significant opportunity to create a renewable solar power asset. The PowerCap® Nail to Rail System, developed by Watershed Geo, is an advanced solar racking solution designed for sites that do not require environmental closure such as closed CCR units and adjacent land areas. This system is engineered to address challenging terrains such as brownfields, sloped surfaces, and greenfields by integrating a geomembrane with a proprietary anchoring method. The resulting low-profile foundation minimizes the need for ballast while ensuring structural stability. With a power density of approximately 1 MW per 2 acres, the system optimizes land utilization and reduces ongoing maintenance requirements, including mowing, dust control, and erosion repair. Key benefits include enhanced power density through efficient terrain adaptation, cost-effective deployment with reduced material and labor requirements, operational simplicity, and customized site design. Scalable from pilot projects to multi-megawatt installations, PowerCap® Nail to Rail enables the transformation of underutilized land into productive renewable energy assets. The presentation will provide details on the design, installation and performance of the system as well as best practices from pilot installations installed to date. Submitted for consideration for WOCA 2026, Lexington, KY.
