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Cypress Creek reports thermal event at Ostria (Austria) Solar; variance granted to reduce fire risk
Summary
Cypress Creek told the council a May thermal event at the Ostria Solar Facility was traced to a dislodged borehole assembly that exposed a DC conductor; the site underwent repairs and a conditional variance to mow vegetation ahead of the usual restricted date was approved to reduce fire risk.
John Volz of Cypress Creek reported to the council that a May thermal event at the Ostria (Austria) Solar Facility was caused by a single borehole assembly that became dislodged, pinched a DC cable and exposed a conductor that sparked below. After isolating and remediating the affected area, the facility conducted a 100% visual inspection, replaced the damaged DC cable segment and one solar panel (which was recycled), and safely reenergized the site on June 24.
Because tall vegetation presented an elevated fire risk after the event, the certificate holder submitted a variance request (June 16) to perform mowing before the standard July 31 vegetation restriction date. FSEC staff responded on June 30 that a conditional variance was approved and contractors were mobilized; mowing was conducted with water trucks and personnel screening ahead for rocks and potential ignition sources.
Volz told the council that final performance testing and ecology inspections were ongoing, construction demobilization was underway, and the facility had submitted the notice of termination for temporary BMPs after installing permanent BMPs. The site owner said it will continue to coordinate with staff on operational plans and the pending Ecology inspection scheduled for July 21.
