OPTIMA: Innovation and optimization of civil site design for utility-scale solar farms

Presentation Description: Civil site design for solar farms has increased in complexity with the advent of terrain tracking systems, which articulate to mimic natural contours and require precise positioning and sizing for tens of thousands of piles. This complexity, coupled with aggressive design and construction timelines, necessitate innovation for engineers to remain competitive in the industry. The Optimization of Terrain Improvements Application (OPTIMA), a MATLAB-based program, automates and optimizes pile sizing and grading for the design of terrain tracking solar sites. OPTIMA reduces design time for piles and earthwork from days to minutes and allows for quick comparisons of different options at any stage of design, which would not have been possible using conventional design tools like AutoCAD and Excel. Additionally, OPTIMA has enabled the undertaking of more complex project scopes and provided robust construction support to field crews. This innovation not only enhances current project efficiency but also sets a precedent for future advancements in solar farm design and construction.