Utility-Scale Solar Site Work: Afton, Virginia
Challenge: The Afton solar field had steep cleared slopes, concentrated stormwater flow, and an endangered-species river below the work. The perimeter controls had to hold while the site changed through active construction.
Field decision: The plans called for standard silt fence along much of the perimeter. After reviewing the slope and concentrated flow, we installed reinforced silt fence instead. The system used metal posts, wire backing, properly trenched fabric, and compacted backfill.
Our approach: The perimeter was only one part of the system. Our crew maintained basins, outlet protection, drainage channels, access, and exposed slopes as the work progressed.
Drainage channels were stabilized with erosion matting so water had a protected path through the work area.
Exposed areas were stabilized with straw as construction moved across the site.
Graded pads, access roads, slopes, and basins were managed as one connected system, with controls adjusted as field conditions changed.
Result: Jason McConnell reported zero silt-fence breaches and zero corrective actions from Virginia DEQ during our execution. Heavy rain had pushed the project into winter. After the holiday break, our crew made an accelerated three-week push and completed the remaining work before a major snowstorm.
