Erosion under solar panel setup

Jun 11, 2019 10:09:51

What types of erosion control could I use under a solar array? I have a 10 panel setup and over this last spring runoff has washed away parts of my driveway. The property is located in the Arizona high desert in a Juniper Pine forest, no grasses, lots of large rock and clay. I'm considering installing a rain gutter under the panels and putting in a culvert to direct the water under the driveway. I would prefer to harvest or use the water in some way but can't think of any real options. Run off is on the Eastern side so I would be concerned about planting anything that could shade the panels. I've included a photo to give you a general idea of what the area looks like. Unfortunately this is the best photo I have. It's old and doesn't show the area as completed but the run off is in this exact location.

Jun 11, 2019 17:07:38

You are likely right. Beside rip rap, a gutter catching the water from the array before it hammers the footing and diversion/drain away of any other uphill water is about it.

Jun 12, 2019 08:32:33

Linda I highly recommend you mulch with wood chips. They will help soak the water into the dirt rather than running off. You can also ditch and divert. Check out Brad Lancaster videos on YouTube and his website https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/
He's out of Tucson.

A few pictures of drains into a buried hugelkulture on our land. The black rock catches debris before it flows into the beds. You may also consider a ground cover of mint, it will hold soil well and need little to no care.

Jun 12, 2019 11:33:59

I removed a rain gutter on my house and noticed the dutch white clover really took off on the new drip line. The clover in my back yard has reached 12-18" but no taller. I'd suggest you find a ground cover suited for the site and plant that, and you can also try adding a little swale along contour to stop surface water flow down the slope. Some mulch to hold the dirt in place until the ground cover grows in should help too.

Jun 19, 2019 13:43:22

These are all good suggestions. Thank you for your responses. I think I'll create a swale that will divert overflow to a culvert. Plant some ground cover in the swale and mulch with either wood chips and straw. Mint grows like a weed down in the Phoenix heat but wonder how cold hardy it is. Temperature variations where this is located are 100F in summer and -5 in the winter. Hopefully I can figure out a ground cover that will survive both extremes.

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