Since 2022, Williams Creek Management has partnered with Cupertino Electric, Inc. to support Clean Water Act requirements for active construction projects and implement the long-term restoration plan at Hardy Hills Solar Farm, a 195-megawatt solar field situated on approximately 1,400 acres and featuring nearly 500,000 photovoltaic panels. Williams Creek team members have provided services including the implementation and maintenance of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Planning (SWPPP), the Vegetation and Soil Management Plan (VSMP) for long-term restoration and stabilization of the site, and the extensive Buffer Landscape Plan for the entire solar field perimeter.

Specific daily work by our Williams Creek team members includes, but is not limited to, the installation of erosion control devices, maintenance of all previously installed SWPPP Best Management Practices (BMPs), temporary seeding and stabilization, site mowing, selective herbicide treatment of invasive and exotic species, stabilization and restoration of creeks and waterways, and seeding of permanent low-stature prairie to create long-term ecological diversity throughout the solar field.

To screen the solar field, local regulations required an extensive Buffer Landscape Plan. Williams Creek team members completed the landscape buffer consisting of over 7,000 pieces of native trees and shrubs as well as permanent low-stature prairie and pollinator plots, all contributing to the prioritization of environmental stewardship and long-term community approval.

Hardy Hills Solar Farm will have the capacity to power nearly 40,000 homes, underscoring its significance in advancing regional energy sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. Through consistent and clear communication, innovative installation technologies, and a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, Williams Creek is proud to help lead the way towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.