Genesis Solar Energy Project

Flood Damage

Photographs taken at the Genesis Solar Energy Project in Riverside County during after after a major flood event from summer thunderstorms on July 31, 2012. During a two day period 5 to 6 inches or rain occurred during construction where foundations, fencing, major equipment deliveries, and other temporary construction activities were ongoing and not complete. The onsite rain gauge indicated that approximately 3 ½ inches of rain fell on the Genesis site during the morning hours of 7/31/2012. A flood channel was breached and the solar field flooded. Between one-half mile and one mile of Tortoise fencing around the perimeter of the site was washed out or damaged. . Some debris was carried a mile downstream from the project and had to be retrieved using OHVs over the desert. An emergency exit road had to be created outside the Right of Way, about a quarter acre.

195 mirrors were broken by either rainfall or wind (dustdevil) or a combination.

Caissons in Block 3 of Unit 1 (at a minimum) were damaged by erosion of surrounding soils somewhere between three and six feet.

The Channel on the East side of the project was scoured from flood waters flowing from north to south.

Approximately 6 inches of sediment deposits accumulated in the mirror field in Block 1 Unit 2.

There were no spills of hazardous substances or materials.

Following are photos from the CEC compliance reports of the July 31 deluge.

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^Broken trough mirrors from the wind storm.

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^Heat transfer fluid drain pit flooded.

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^Aerial photo of the trough mirror solar feild under construction.

flood

^Ford Dry Lake flooded and now full of water. Dry Lakes in the desert will become lakes again temporarily.

 

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