Minimizing Impact
VISUAL IMPACTS | WATER USE | WILDLIFE HABITAT PRESERVATION | CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS | OPERATIONAL IMPACTS
Avantus was founded in California back in 2009, and it is important to our team that we do right by our home state. That’s why we design and develop our projects with a “smart from the start” strategy to minimize potential impacts to local resources and wildlife.
Visual Impacts
Our initial design for Aratina received thoughtful feedback from local residents and Kern County. We listened to these concerns and have incorporated them into a revised design that increases project setbacks from residential areas by up to a half-mile (almost nine football fields). The revised design, referred to as Aratina 2.0 by Kern County, better preserves existing viewsheds and creates significant open space between residents and our project.
The raised railroad and vegetation along 20 Mule Team Road and other existing infrastructure will also help reduce visibility of the project, and lighting will be minimal and directed away from public rights-of-way.
How far away will Aratina’s panels be from homes? Scott will help us visualize the distance.
Below are additional photo simulations showing Aratina from various points in the area. The side-by-side images represent before and after views of the project location. The differences are subtle given the large distance to the project site.
Photo Simulations
Water Use
Aratina will require minimal water use. During the construction process, water is primarily used for dust suppression. Once operational, the plant may require infrequent cleanings with water to remove dirt and dust from the panels.
Wildlife Habitat Preservation
Avantus is steadfast in its commitment to wildlife protection. Our team conducts rigorous environmental surveys and analyses and works closely with federal and state wildlife agencies to minimize potential impacts to sensitive species and collaborate on mitigation strategies.
In collaboration with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) and environmental groups, Avantus developed a plan for Aratina to avoid or minimize potential environmental impacts on wildlife. This included contributing to a CDFW mitigation fund specifically for Western Joshua Trees, as well as the creation of the Onyx Conservation Project, which permanently conserves more than 215,000 contiguous acres of land located between Ridgecrest and Mojave. Onyx is estimated to protect more than 80,000 acres of Western Joshua Tree habitat, including 3,000 acres of dense woodland. The area is also home to more than 20 sensitive wildlife species, ranging from the California Condor to Mojave desert tortoise, Mohave ground squirrel to golden eagles.
During construction, all onsite workers will receive wildlife protection training, and trained biologists will be onsite to oversee biological monitoring protocols outlined by the state.
We are proud of our reputation for environmental stewardship, with past projects garnering support from respected groups including the Sierra Club, Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, Audubon California, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Construction Impacts
During construction, we expect our crew will generate some noise and add cars/trucks to certain roads, and we will aim to minimize those potential impacts. As always, we aim to be respectful of our neighbors and aim to keep construction noise to a minimum. All site activity will be subject to and comply with Kern County noise ordinances.
Dust control methods, including limiting unpaved roadway speeds to 15 mph, constructing wind breaks like barriers and fences, stopping work on extreme windy days, and consistently watering construction areas and roadways, will be used throughout the construction period to minimize airborne dust and the potential impacts on construction workers and the surrounding community.
Operational Impacts
Upon completion, Aratina will not create any significant additional local traffic. Any noise generated by the project is expected to be minimal and should not be heard by neighboring residents. The low hum from inverters and/or low-speed rotating solar trackers is audible only from very close range.
The solar panels typically act as a wind breaker, reducing wind speeds throughout the site and thereby minimizing airborne dust. In addition, the site will be reseeded with a native seed mix, which will add to the existing root system that helps bind the soil together. Because we are in the business of capturing sunlight, we are incentivized to make sure our panels are free from excessive dust.