Topic outline

  • Constructing Solar Arrays in Highway ROW's

    Credits: 3 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This online engineering PDH course describes various impacts associated with the deployment of solar arrays in right of ways (ROWs). European countries have been deploying solar arrays in ROWs for over thirty years, and today most U.S. state departments of transportation and the Federal Highway Administration agree that solar array deployment in the ROW is possible, after careful site evaluation and impact analysis.

    Typical spaces available for solar energy generation are rest areas, land outside ROW clear zones, space adjacent to interchanges, and roof tops. In addition to the available space, ROWs offer electrical infrastructure corridors (existing transmission lines aligned with the highways), well maintained secure land, and easy access for construction and maintenance. The main potential concerns associated with solar array deployment in the ROW and the main focus of this course are driver safety, highway operation, maintenance, and environmental impacts. The course is based on the impact of solar array deployment specifically in the State of Colorado but almost all of the concerns discussed apply to other states as well.

    Topics:

    • PV array in ROW
    • Regulations and permitting requirements
    • Field study findings
    • Driver safety impacts
    • Road maintenance impacts
    • Environmental impacts
    • Mitigation analysis

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
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    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.

    Important – Payment is required prior to printing of your certificate of completion.

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    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for civil, highway, and electrical engineers interested in the possibility of installing solar arrays in highway right of ways.
    Publication Source: This course is based on Report No. CDOT-2015-08 of the Colorado Department of Transportation, “Potential Impacts of Solar Arrays on Highway Environment, Safety, and Operations,” written by Ananda Paudel and Arthur Hirsch, October, 2015, under Contract No. 032.08.

    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

    • Topic 1