Riverpoint Solar Research Park

Solar & Renewable Energy

Phoenix, Arizona

Services Provided:  Civil Engineering, Land Planning, Storm Water Management, Landscape architecture

Project Description: CVL’s responsibilities for this project were two fold: 1- site plan preparation and 2- feasibility and design of compressed air storage.  The 20-acre project site consists of five 70-foot tall solar dishes that will generate ~ 5 MW of renewable energy.  An additional 15 solar dishes are planned for future expansion of the site. Several key issues concerning the site design included multiple stakeholders – FAA, FEMA and the City of Phoenix; no direct access to the site (landlocked); air traffic visibility; and flood plain concerns.  CVL’s approach to the project was to spend significant advance time in the preliminary planning and design phases to minimize later design changes. Open dialogue and coordination with the stakeholders, the client and the public in a proactive manner enabled CVL to effectively remove the site out of the flood plain, create right of way access, and receive plan approval by second submittal.