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SITE STUDIES FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC PLANTS

Index

Presentation 3

Procedure 4

Viability study 5

Slopes 4 Orientation 4

Geology 4 Hydrology 4 Communications 4 Irradiation 4

Ramming pole test 6

Geological-geotechnical investigation 8

PANDA penetration tests 8 Geoelectrical tomography 8

Trial pits 9 Vane testing 9

Pocket penetrometry 9 Geomechanical stations 9 Electromagnetic Conductivity Meter 10 Monitor Embankment work 10

International

Asia 11 America 12

Africa 13

Clients 14

Contact 15

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IPMA is a consulting company which specializes in environmental engineering, consulting studies, geotechnics and technical support services. The Company's main goal is to provide efficient quality solutions. We currently have a team of highly specialized professionals supported by a fieldwork team, as well as an IT and technical office team. Due to the specific demands of its industry, IPMA integrates an experienced and skilled multidisciplinary team of professionals that covers areas such as mining and mountain engineering, geology, environmental sciences and administration. This highly qualified team is very experienced in the environmental consulting field in general, specializing in geology, hydrology and hydrogeology, and providing added value through the use of environmental phenomena interpretation tools. IPMA has acquired vast first-hand experience, and each of its team members also has extensive personal professional experience.

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Presentation

Procedure

PLACEMENT STUDY

DRIVEN PILE VIABILITY

GEOLOGICAL-GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION

IPMA has been offering complete solutions to its clients for more than 10 years, accompanying them at all times so that they meet their objectives successfully. For Photovoltaic Solar Energy (PSE) installations to work correctly, in addition to knowing the solar radiation levels throughout the study site, it is indispensable to conduct an analysis of the ground where these are to be placed so as to optimize the resources required to undertake the project. This procedure determines the criteria for taking decisions relating to the viability of the project.

Knowing the technical specifications relating to the structures to be used IPMA can carry out in situ tests of the driven pile structures. This, in combination with conventional geotechnical studies, increases the safety margins considerably. This prevents the installed depth and the characteristics of the piles from exceeding those necessary, thereby avoiding unnecessary extra costs. In addition, the preliminary viability study of the site together with the in situ tests help to ensure the optimization of the project.

By means of dynamic penetration testing, trial pits, soundings, pocket penetrometry, Vane testing, geophysics and the corresponding laboratory analysis of samples taken directly from the soil, the site can be completely characterized. In parallel, it is also possible to analyze the potential of the soil to cause corrosion to metallic structures, and thereby ensure the correct choice of structures to guarantee that they endure. In view of all the foregoing, IPMA carries out an analysis in sequence of the phases detailed below:

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Viability study

The factors that must be borne in mind when conducting a Viability study are the following: Slopes: factor of interest more from the point of view of visual impact than as a technical requirement, because according to experts, photovoltaic panels are fairly light and many kinds of inclination are suitable for their placement. Orientation: factor focused on greater performance of photovoltaic cells, more hours of sunlight yielding greater electricity production. Geology: geological characterization of the site and study of protected natural spaces and land use, all these factors being of great interest in characterizing the added value, due to the effect that Photovoltaic Solar Energy installations and the associated activity can have on their setting. Hydrology: a very important factor is correct planning to avoid flash floods and the risks from erosion that could subsequently affect the installations. Communication routes and electricity grid: indispensable factors from the point of view of the efficiency of the infrastructure. The aim is to use the existing communication and grid infrastructure so as to reduce the costs of the installations. Solar Irradiation: factor of the greatest importance, as if the values are not suitable, it is not appropriate to install the photovoltaic cells.

For viability analysis, we carry out the following tests in situ:

Detection of water table. Obtaining permits, licenses, services affected, rethinking and access. Selection of emplacements, associated geological risks, interaction with the water table, etc... Conducting penetration tests. Geophysical tests. Geological and geotechnical cartography.

Ramming pole driven pile tests

To check the ideality of the structures to be used in a photovoltaic plant installation, tests on the structures can be carried out, consisting of: Traction test for vertical uprooting. Inclined traction test. Horizontal pressure test. Corrosion potential analysis.

With the GAYK HRE 4000 , piles like, or of similar characteristics to, those of the project, are driven. During the driving process, its technical viability is evaluated. Once the piles have been introduced, they are subjected to the different traction and pressure tests.

Traction test for vertical uprooting. Horizontal pressure test. These tests allow the in situ behavior of the foundation structures in the underlying soil to be simulated.

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Ramming pole driven pile tests

To conduct ramming pole driven pile tests, IPMA uses the most advanced equipment on the market such as the Gayk HRE 4000 hydraulic ram, with the following characteristics:

HRE 4000

Transport length including post: 4750 mm

Transport width: 2000 mm

Transport height with mast: 2200 mm

Weight with hammer: 3800 kg

Max. length of post to be rammed: 3 m/ opt. 4 m

Chain feed: 1900 mm

Number of impacts /min 530-1150

Joule 1100

Weight of hammer 189 kg

Oil pressure /bar 190

Oil quantity l/min 100 l

Oil tank 180 l

Motor Hatz 3L41C

Motor power 34 Kw

Power supply 12 V

Tank capacity 60 l The Gayk HRE 4000 hydraulic

ram is highly versatile, converting it into the perfect

apparatus for conducting ramming pole driven pile tests.

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Geological-Geotechnical investigation

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After the phases just described, it is possible to carry out a more exhaustive Geotechnical Investigation to constrain further the calculations for the foundations necessary for the structure, substation, access routes, auxiliary structures etc, and so reduce their cost. To do this, IPMA has equipment and highly qualified personnel who can carry out the tests necessary in situ and interpret them subsequently. We also look after hiring the machinery required for this work locally. PANDA PENETRATION TESTS To carry out the in situ tests, IPMA uses a light dynamic penetrometer allowing great mobility and access to remote sites, and enabling the results obtained to be correlated with NSPT

ELECTRICAL TOMOGRAPHY We also have geophysical prospection equipment to generate electrical tomography profiles, and these techniques yield resistivity data for the different depths of study. The values obtained can be correlated with the corrosion potential of the soil. TRIAL PITS By boring trial pits, the materials excavated can be characterized visually, and the presence of ground water can be determined. They are dug to a depth of at least 3.00 m, unless they reach rock, or the characteristics of the ground or presence of water impede this. The trial pits will be of sufficient width to allow their inspection and description, color photographs, taking samples in bags or "as-is", and other tests.

Geological-geotechnical investigation

VANE TESTING This consists of driving a "windvane", consisting of 4 orthogonal steel plates fixed rigidly to a drive linkage, into the ground, and which is rotated until the ground breaks and measures the torque required, This determines the drainage-free cutting strength of the soil, because given that shearing is relatively rapid, the water does not have time to be evacuated, and therefore this is a non-consolidated and drainage-free test. POCKET PENETROMETER The pocket penetrometer is used to determine the penetration resistance of the soil. It consists of a conical tip introduced into the soil. The penetration resistance is the pressure necessary to introduce the tip to a certain depth in the soil profile. A dial displays the pressure exerted on the tip as it is being introduced into the soil.

GEOMECHANICAL STATIONS In the event that the ground is rocky, the resistance parameters are measured to obtain the RQD (Rock Quality Designation) index ASTM D6032 at each point of investigation, the degree of weathering and the RMR (Rock Mass Rating) index. A rock mass is characterized by the resistance of the solid rock, which needs to be considered along with other properties such as: opening and filling of discontinuities, roughness, type of filling, spacing, fracturing index, persistence, RQD class, and presence of water. These parameters may be used to determine other indicators like the RMR that describe the overall behavior of the rock mass. All the parameters investigated will be included in a rock mass quality characterization record. At each survey point at least 10 measurements will be made with a rebound hammer (Schmidt hammer).

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ELECTROMAGNETIC CONDUCTIVITY METER The CMD conductivity meters serve for fast contactless measurement of ground conductivity and in-phase (closely depending on magnetic susceptibility). Measured data can be used for conductivity maps from one or several depth levels and for conductivity sections. Thus it can be used for many tasks in the frame of geological and civil engineering survey, agriculture, environmental monitoring, groundwater protection, raw material prospecting, archaeology, metal objects and networks detection. Walking and vehicle applications of CMD instruments allow performing measurements even in exacting conditions like dry or icy soil.

MONITOR EMBANKMENT WORK The object of the compactation control will be, on the one hand, to check that each tongue laid complies with the dry density and humidity conditions as established by the Technical Prescriptions Plan, and on the other, that the deformability characteristics are suitable to ensure adequate behavior of the ground. The determination of in situ humidity and density shall be made pursuant to the standards ASTM D7830, using TRANSTECH SDG 200 equipment.

Geological-geotechnical investigation

International

ASIA - JAPAN

Geotechnical study and site survey for photovoltaic plant projects (150MW)

Photovoltaic plant projects located throughout the country.

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Geological and geomorphological context. Hydrogeology. Geological cartography. Seismicity. Geotechnical characteristics of terrain Constructional aspects.

International

AFRICA - ANGOLA Geotechnical study and environmental assessment

Hydrogeology. Geological and geomorphological context. Geological risk. Seismicity. Geotechnical characteristics of terrain. Foundation recommendations Analysis of pathologies Environmental assessment Study of flora and fauna. Environmental impact.

Helder Neto Training Institute project at Namibe (Angola)

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International

AMERICA - CHILE

Geotechnical study and site ramming pole test

Super-heavy penetration test. Geotechnical characteristics of terrain. Geological risk. Seismicity. Constructional aspects. Ramming pole test

Photovoltaic plant projects in Atacama Desert

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Clients

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Client list (selection)

Contact

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IPMA

Spain:

C/ Segundo Mata, 1, 28224 - Pozuelo de Alarcón

MADRID Tel.: (34) 91 357 93 69

email: informacion@ipma.es

Chile:

Edificio CCU Avda. Vitacura 2670, Piso 15

Los Condes, CP 7550698 SANTIAGO (CHILE)

Email: chile@ipma.es

Japan:

3-7-8 Kojimachi Chiyoda-ku Kojimachi Yamaguchi Building - 401

102-0083 TOKYO Telephone: (+81) 3 6261 3579

Email: japon@ipma.es