GEOWEB® Load Support System

Project Name: Clagett Solar Farm

Project Location: Maryland

The Clagett Solar Farm, located along William Beanes Road in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is a notable community solar project that contributes to the state’s renewable energy goals. Energized in 2023, this project is part of Maryland’s Community Solar Program, which allows residents to support local solar projects and benefit from clean energy credits that can lower their electricity bills.

With a capacity of 2,796 kW, the Clagett Solar Farm generates approximately 3,947,952 kWh of clean energy annually and currently supports 466 subscribers. This initiative prevents about 1,500,222 pounds of CO2 emissions each year, equivalent to planting around 18,003 trees. The project’s purpose is to aid sponsoring agencies in their commitment to environmental stewardship by installing solar panels within a 259-acre parcel consisting of agricultural fields and forest (Common Energy).

Project Challenge: Building a Stable, Unpaved Access Road

A critical need for the Clagett Solar Farm was constructing a stable, unpaved access road over poor soil conditions—subgrade California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of 1%—to support heavy construction equipment and ongoing maintenance traffic.

Solution: GEOWEB System for Unpaved Roads

The project engineer and site support/material supplier, Colonial Construction Materials, reached out to Presto Geosystems’ engineering team to devise a soil stabilization solution using the GEOWEB® Load Support System. The Presto Geosystems engineering team completed a complimentary project evaluation to ensure the solution met all requirements. This system was chosen for its effectiveness in stabilizing unpaved roads and its suitability for environmentally sensitive areas.

GEOWEB Load Support Installation Process

The installation process began with preparing the subgrade by leveling it and removing any vegetation and debris. Next, a SKAPS® M220 enhanced woven geotextile separation layer was installed on the prepared subgrade to provide separation, filtration and drainage, and additional reinforcement. On top of the geotextile, a 4-inch base layer was compacted, with the ends of the fabric wrapped around the base to prevent material loss.

The GEOWEB GW30V6 (6-inch deep) panels were then deployed over the base layer and the sections were securely connected using ATRA® Keys at each interleaf and end-to-end connection. The GEOWEB cells were then infilled with a 2/3 clean, crushed aggregate and 1/3 topsoil mix. They were overfilled and compacted to provide a minimum 2-inch wear surface, ensuring the road’s durability and longevity. The stone component of the infill allows the system to support the required loads, while the topsoil component allows for vegetation growth.

The Clagett Solar Farm project successfully utilized approximately 100,000 square feet of the GEOWEB Load Support System to construct a stable, unpaved access road over poor soil conditions. This solution ensured the road could support heavy vehicle traffic and minimize environmental impact. The project’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of geosynthetics in enhancing soil stability and supporting sustainable infrastructure development.