2018-12-05 - Northampton - Decommissioning Plan DRAFT
Solar Electric Facility Decommissioning Plan
Project:
Syncarpha Northampton, LLC
Location:
0 Glendale Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Prepared By: Approved By: Revised By:
Signature:
Signature:
Revision Date: December 5, 2018
Date:
[DATE]
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Table of Contents
Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Scope ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Site to be Decommissioned .......................................................................................................................... 3
Decommissioning Plan Specifications ........................................................................................................... 3
Stage One: Decommissioning Planning (Pre-Decommissioning Date) ..................................................... 3
Stage Two: System Deactivation and Disconnection ................................................................................ 4
Stage Three: Solar Electric Facility Disassembly ....................................................................................... 4
Stage Four: Site Restoration and Closeout ............................................................................................... 5
[DATE]
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Purpose The purpose of this document is to detail the process and requirements for the decommissioning
of the Solar Electric Facility (“SEF”) as identified in the scope section below. Decommissioning
means the withdrawing of the SEF from active service, removal of the SEF components at the
end of their useful function for the production of renewable electrical energy and remediating the
land to pre-existing or compatible, useful, non-hazardous condition. Decommissioning involves
the following actions:
• Removal of the photovoltaic panels and all electrical appurtenances;
• Removal of racking equipment and equipment pad foundations; and
• Replacement of surface materials to a depth of surrounding disturbed lands and plant
with suitable native species dependent upon time of year and in consultation with
Syncarpha Northampton, LLC (“Owner”).
Scope
Upon the end of the project’s useful life, and provided that Owner does not desire to continue to
operate the facility and sell electricity to the local utility grid, the SEF will be decommissioned
as per the specifications in this document. Decommissioning will commence within twelve (12)
months of the last day of the last month of commercial operations of the facility.
Site to be Decommissioned
Location Assessor’s Map Parcel
0 Glendale Road 49 12
Decommissioning Plan Specifications
Stage One: Decommissioning Planning (Pre-Decommissioning Date) 1. As part of the permitting process, Owner shall submit a cost estimate to fully implement
the Decommissioning Plan to the City of Northampton for review and approval.
2. Prior to commercial operations, Owner or its selected Decommissioning Contractor shall
post a Decommissioning Bond for the removal of the SEF based upon the cost estimate
approved by the City of Northampton.
3. Owner shall provide notice to the City of Northampton regarding the SEF shutdown and
decommissioning prior to mobilization.
4. Owner shall submit a schedule for the completion of the site restoration work to the City
of Northampton.
[DATE]
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5. Owner shall obtain all agency approvals (as required) for the decommissioning of the
SEF.
6. Owner shall contact the local Electric Distribution Company (EDC) and schedule a date
for shutdown and disconnection. The date should be consistent with the planned
decommissioning date of the SEF and should be scheduled well in advance of that date.
7. Owner shall qualify, contact and schedule a Decommissioning Contractor for
disassembly of the SEF and hauling of recyclable materials to a recycling facility.
Alternatively, Owner can engage a photovoltaic equipment recycler to haul modules,
racking equipment and other recyclable material off site following the disassembly of the
equipment.
Stage Two: System Deactivation and Disconnection
1. Decommissioning Contractor shall shutdown the system at the interconnection point,
with the assistance of the local utility, to safely disconnect the system from the utility
grid.
2. Decommissioning Contractor shall disconnect the system from the point of
interconnection.
Stage Three: Solar Electric Facility Disassembly
1. Decommissioning Contractor shall mobilize on site.
2. Decommissioning Contractor shall install temporary fencing around the
decommissioning site, if necessary.
3. Decommissioning Contractor shall indicate the means by which the equipment and
system components shall be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and/or local
regulations.
4. Decommissioning Contractor will disassemble all photovoltaic modules and load them
onto trucks to be hauled off to recycling collection centers.
5. Decommissioning Contractor will disassemble all racking and mounting hardware and
load them onto trucks to be hauled off to recycling collection centers.
6. Decommissioning Contractor will remove all driven posts or columns and haul them off
to be recycled accordingly.
7. Decommissioning Contractor will remove all electrical equipment and haul them off for
salvage based on their value as a recyclable resource.
8. Decommissioning Contractor will break up the concrete foundations and remove the
material from the site to be disposed of at a licensed landfill or recycling facility.
9. Decommissioning Contractor will disconnect all cable/conduit. All underground
cable/conduit will be removed.
10. Decommissioning Contractor will remove any utility poles installed by the Owner on the
Site.
[DATE]
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Stage Four: Site Restoration and Closeout 1. Decommissioning Contractor shall remove any temporary fencing and equipment and
haul it off site. Access roads, fences, gates or buildings may remain in place if they are in
keeping with the resumed use of the site.
2. Decommissioning Contractor shall grade, loam, and seed the site with native grasses.
3. Decommissioning Contractor shall remove any and all other materials related to the
decommissioning process, including but not limited to decommissioning machinery,
construction equipment, excess material and decommissioned material from the site.
4. Owner shall give written notice to the City of Northampton that the site decommissioning
is complete and the site is restored to near original conditions. Decommissioning will be
considered complete and all responsibility will be released from Owner.