Explosive ordnance assessment for solar parks and ground-mounted PV

Specialist assessment should start once the project boundary polygon and main construction components are known. During early phases, the historical suspected hazard can be assessed first. Before driving works, geotechnical boreholes, cable trenches, station foundations and access route construction, the specific volumes of ground affected must be established by position, depth and survey feasibility.

This depends on the suspected hazard, foundation method, grid, ground conditions, survey method and achievable conclusions. An area investigation can cover numerous points where its geometry and depth suit the later intervention. Points extending deeper, relocated or outside the survey area need separate assessment.

If an unexpected suspicious object is found, stop work. Do not touch, move or uncover it further. Leave the immediate area and warn others without putting yourself at risk. In Germany, notify the police on 110; outside Germany, use the local emergency reporting procedure. The competent authorities determine what happens next; a project enquiry does not replace reporting the find.

Useful documents include the project boundary polygon, land parcels, current PV layout, driving or foundation points, cable and drainage axes, station and storage areas, grid connection, ground investigation data, utility plans, historical assessments, conditions, construction times and desired date for handover of results.

Information and requirements from authorities are supplied with their date, complete appendices and geographical scope. In Germany, the competent ordnance disposal service, local public-order authority and, where relevant, building-control authority are identified for the project location; outside Germany, local responsibilities apply.

Known utilities, scrap metal, foundations, fill or previous uses are documented as sources of interference. Areas that cannot be adequately evaluated are identified on the plan, and suitable supplementary investigations and possible access after site preparation or demolition are defined. Where explosive ordnance detection during construction is technically suitable, each working layer is technically surveyed and assessed before controlled removal with supplementary visual inspection follows. Necessary investigations and protective measures are also planned before preparatory ground interventions; areas not covered remain unresolved.

Relocated module rows, additional storage systems, changed stations or new cable axes are checked against the existing scope addressed. If the new geometry lies outside the documented area, depth or point list, supplementary services are planned. The earlier report remains traceable without alteration.

In Germany, the federal states' explosive ordnance disposal services and locally competent authorities perform emergency response and work on finds. Outside Germany, local responsibilities apply. The commissioned specialist company addresses the agreed investigation and documentation scope for the solar park. Reporting procedures and contacts are clarified for the affected construction sections before work begins.

Influencing factors include the project area, number and depth of foundation points, cable and fence lengths, station areas, vegetation, ground conditions, utilities, interfering objects, access, methods selected, construction phases, data formats and extent of documentation. Reliable pricing therefore requires a current layout and clear intervention geometry.