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Home My WebLink About1.01 Supplemental Information pivotenergy.net June 1, 2020 Mr. Patrick Waller, Senior Planner Garfield County Community Development 108 8th Street, Suite 401 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 RE: Request for Minor Modification to Land Use Change Permit (Major Impact), Parcel ID# 2179-122-00-350 Dear Mr. Waller: Pivot Energy (Pivot) hereby requests that the Garfield County Community Development Director and Staff review and approve our request for a finding of Minor Modification to the Land Use Change Permit for a Solar Energy System on Parcel 2179-122-00-350, as granted under Resolution 2016-54 and subsequently amended or extended under Resolutions 2017-38 and 2019-31. We believe that this Minor Modification request meets all the necessary criteria outlined in Garfield County Code 4-106(C). Explanation of Modifications The modifications proposed by Pivot will result in a Solar Energy System that is materially and functionally comparable to the originally approved project. The primary factor behind the changes is that, whereas the original project was designed to accommodate a single Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards Community (S*RC) project award on the site, Pivot plans to co-locate two S*RC awards on the same site. These projects are identified as the Mtn Solar 5 LLC (SRC# and the CO However due to improvements in solar module efficiency, this will be accomplished within the 10-acre footprint originally approved for the projects. The primary technical differences are outlined below: 1. Nameplate Capacity Increase: the original submission package detailed a solar project with a nominal 1- megawatt (AC) generation capacity at the inverters. The revised plans to which Pivot is planning to build call for a combined nameplate capacity of 1.35-megawatts (AC) at the inverters across the two solar arrays shown on the attached plans. Each project award may have a generation capacity of up to 1 megawatt (DC) each, for a combined maximum total of 2-megawatts (DC). 2. Solar Module Selection: the original submission package called for the installation of approximately 10,620 solar modules rated at 110 watts each. Pivot’s design includes a total of approximately 5,000 solar modules rated at 360 watts each. The higher wattage rating allows us to achieve an increase in generation capacity while remaining within the overall project footprint of 10 acres and installing fewer solar modules. Pivot is also proposing to install polysilicon solar modules instead of the thin film solar modules originally represented. Polysilicon modules are the industry standard selection and are preferred to thin film products due to their ease of installation and more environmentally-friendly components. Please note that the final wattage classification of the modules is subject to market availability at time of construction. 3. Electrical Equipment: because we are siting two S*RC awards onsite, Xcel requirements dictate that each award have separate and unique locations for electrical equipment such as the utility transformers, facility switchgear and so on. This will result in the construction of an extra concrete pad on site to house the equipment. The electrical equipment itself will be as originally conceived. 4. Fencing and Access: operational standards require us to fence each S*RC award separately. As shown on the attached plans, this will result in each electrical equipment pad being accessed by a dedicated gate with a delineating fence between the two associated solar arrays. The fence will remain the same as originally approved (8 ft game fence) and shared street access will be taken along a common easement leading from the same single access point off River Frontage Road as previously represented. In order to accommodate the separate access requirements, the access driveway will be approximately 120 feet longer than previously considered. 5. Inverter Housing: The original application showed a typical “housing” that would be constructed over the inverters with a roof and open sides. The inverters that we are proposing are different in a couple of ways. Firstly, they are smaller and instead of occupying a central point in the array architecture they may be distributed across the electrical system in a more modular fashion; for example, they may be mounted on the end of the tracking rows. Secondly, all inverters are NEMA-rated for outdoor use and the additional structure is unnecessary. Our plans do not contemplate the construction of custom-made inverter housing. pivotenergy.net 6. Equipment Painting: Condition 9 requires all equipment to be painted a non-glare neutral color. To clarify, all electrical equipment will be sourced from reliable electrical component suppliers. The equipment on the pad will be of standard utility grade and rated for outdoor installation and use. As such, these items are supplied from the manufacturer with finish colors of gray or green that are commonly seen on outdoor electrical equipment. We believe that the standard electrical equipment finish will meet this condition and are not planning to re-paint these items after installation. 7. Relative Equipment Heights: Definitive values for the proposed height of electrical equipment are not readily available upon review; however, we believe that there will be little difference in equipment elevations above finish grade. As shown on the plans, the height of the solar array rows will be approximately 5 feet when flat; at maximum tilt (early morning or late afternoon), the highest point of the solar panel will be approximately 8 feet. Elevation of pad-mounted electrical equipment will be approximately 8 feet. These dimensions are typical for the use and are not expected to be a significant departure from the original proposal. The balance of Pivot’s proposed installation is functionally the same as that which was originally proposed. The project will still track the sun from east to west throughout the day; the rows within the solar array will still be oriented north to south; and the project will still occupy the same corner of the lot as originally approved. As shown on the plans, the total area within the perimeter fence will not exceed 10 acres. The proposed equipment will meet all applicable utility, State and Federal operational standards and regulations. When viewed from the street, the Pivot facility will be essentially indistinguishable from the originally proposed project. Statement of Compliance Except where changes discussed above may differ from the technical representations made at the original time of application, Pivot is not seeking relief from any of the original Conditions of Approval listed under Resolution 2016- 54. The project will comply with all applicable Conditions of Approval. Construction and operation of this Solar Energy System will be conducted in accordance with all applicable Federal, State and local regulations. We trust that Garfield County Community Development will agree that these design changes qualify as a Minor Modification to the approved Land Use Permit for this project. It is our intention to quickly move to complete any outstanding prior conditions and commence construction on this project in the very near future. We look forward to continued discussions with your office on this topic and stand ready to provide any additional information that would aid in your review and determination. Sincerely, LUKE RICKARD | Director, Project Development lrickard@pivotenergy.net D 970.819.2252 Enclosures: 1. Vicinity Map and Site Plan (dated 04.15.2020) 2. Copies of Resolutions 2016-54, 2017-38 and 2019-31 3. Signed Application Form 4. Signed Payment Agreement Form 5. Signed Certification of Mineral Ownership 6. Signed Statement of Authority for DB Solar LLC 7. Signed Authorization Letter from DB Solar LLC