Solar power plants - Sustainability in civil works

Abstract

This paper reviews the various possible methodologies for attaining sustainability in solar plants in terms of civil works. Sustainability in terms of reducing finite source losses in solar plants like water and energy has been concentrated on. The direct methodologies have been intelligently designed to modify conventional practices and use it towards the benefit of the plant such as rain water harvesting and passive cooling systems for buildings. The existing design has been evolved at every step of the plant development so that the consumption or the dependence of the plant on external energy sources is reduced or cut down completely. Case studies dealing on both the issues reveal the challenges faced, possible best solutions, key learnings and the adoption of these methods in the plant design right from the planning stage. The indirect methodologies are solutions proposed and to be developed in a view to build structures that are ground adapting in PV plants and to stabilize the soil in arid areas prone to heavy winds and sand storms so that the soiling losses in the modules or reflectors are reduced.