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Commissioners hear update on solar project commissioning and cleanup plan after panel fire
Summary
County and project representatives said construction at the solar (UV) plant is largely complete and commissioning is underway; a recent panel fire prompted third‑party testing and a planned two‑week cleanup beginning the week of the 29th, pending test results and regulatory direction.
Commissioners were told the solar (UV) project is mostly built and staff are focused on testing and commissioning ahead of an anticipated energization later this week.
The project representative said construction crews have reduced to a skeleton crew as punch‑list items are completed and that Tri‑State crews are finalizing interconnection work. “The last of the panels were hung last week,” the project representative said, and staff expect to reduce on‑site personnel to a small clean‑up crew by early spring.
The board also discussed a recent fire that affected staged panels and ancillary materials. County and project staff said they have solicited bids from disaster‑cleanup contractors and are targeting the week of the 29th for a two‑week remediation effort. Project staff named national cleanup firms among the bidders and said long‑term disposal will depend on test results.
Public‑health staff and the county’s environmental‑health representative pressed for clear testing and reporting. The representative requested that the county receive sampling reports as soon as they are available so staff can answer public inquiries and coordinate any required soil remediation. Project staff said an independent test program is underway and that they will share results and a cleanup plan through the county once samples are analyzed.
Why it matters: the burning of solar modules can raise questions about soil and water contamination and about how burned material is handled. County health staff asked for transparent, timely test results and for a clear chain of custody and disposal documentation; project staff said those records will be provided after testing is complete.
What comes next: project staff will complete commissioning steps, Tri‑State will finish the final connection work, and the third‑party testing results will determine whether material is routed for recycling or certified disposal. County staff said they will expect a written testing summary to share with residents.
