Award of Merit, Energy/Industrial: Confidential Client Solar Decommissioning

Confidential Client Solar Decommissioning

Martin County, Fla.

Award of Merit

Submitted by Jackson Demolition Service Inc.

Owner Confidential

Lead Design Firm/General Contractor Jackson Demolition Service

Originally designed as part of an integrated solar combined-cycle system, this 500-acre site contained more than 1,100 solar collection assemblies with nearly 190,000 mirrored parabolic troughs, all of which had to be dismantled and removed with no glass debris left behind.

With industrial grade tarps placed under work areas, each phase of dismantlement was followed by a specialized sweeper to capture any residual shards. The team also flushed and safely disposed of more than 20,000 gallons of thermal transfer fluid, followed by manual removal of insulation to prevent contamination of adjacent wetlands.

To protect the structural integrity of an adjacent dam, a special demolition shear attachment extracted the site’s 7,800 30-ft-deep concrete pedestals and header piers, providing a controlled low-vibration alternative to conventional methods. The nearly yearlong project recovered approximately 15,000 tons of scrap aluminum, 5,000 tons of glass and 40,000 tons of concrete.

High ambient temperatures and intense heat and light reflected from the solar panels created significant safety challenges. Analysis of temperature cycles and task-specific activity helped determine optimal crew placement, minimizing exposure during peak heat and reflection periods.

The project team also used temporary shading structures and strictly enforced personal protective equipment requirements, including UV-protective clothing and eyewear.