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Solar Services
Utility-scale solar is an emerging industry with distinct demands that call for specialized expertise. Numerous engineering design principles were initially developed for dissimilar applications, prompting the need for consultants with specific experience in solar projects when engaging them as developers or contractors. Opting for professionals well-versed in the nuances of utility-scale solar ensures a refined comprehension of the challenges and opportunities within this evolving field. This, in turn, facilitates the creation of more effective and tailored solutions for your ventures
Staff Qualifications
TB&G Engineering, Inc., established in 2023 by Thomas Bartlett, operates under his leadership as the Principal Engineer. Holding both a bachelor's and master's degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University, he is a registered Professional Engineer in 11 states.
During his previous tenure at a national firm, Mr. Bartlett distinguished himself as one of a select group of Subject Matter Experts for Solar Power projects. He played a key role in developing standard protocols for the emerging field, which were subsequently implemented company-wide. Serving as the National Account Manager for two major solar clients, he ensured consistent product delivery and pricing.
At another regional firm, Mr. Bartlett earned the title of Principal Engineer. In this capacity, he demonstrated effective leadership by successfully overseeing the operations of a Branch Office, where he managed a substantial team of professional staff.
His accomplishments extend beyond managerial roles, including presenting technical topics at industry events such as Solar Power International and contributing articles to publications like Today’s Energy Solutions.
Previous Solar Experience
Over the last 15 years, Mr. Bartlett has actively contributed to the engineering and testing of more than 500 solar projects spanning 20 states and five time zones across the United States. His extensive experience encompasses a range of services, including:
- Site geotechnical characterization
- Pile Load Testing (PLT) programs
- Construction phase "proof" load testing
- Construction quality control services
- Structural Pile Design
A partial summary of the status of projects for which Mr. Bartlett has provided services is as follows:
Project Status | Number of Projects Serviced | Nameplate or Proposed Capacity | Average Project Capacity |
Complete or Under Construction | >350 | >5,000 MW (AC) | 15 MW |
Proposed | 100 | >8,000 MW (AC) | 80 MW |
Cancelled or Postponed | 12 | 129 MW (AC) | 11 MW |
Zoom in on the embed below, created with Google Maps, to view the locations of many of the more than 500 solar farms for which TB&G engineers have previously provided services.
Services Provided
Field Testing Services
- Soil Test Boring and Rock Coring
- Test Pit Excavations
- Auger probe or pothole borings
- Double ring infiltrometer (DRIT) and downhole infiltration rates
- Seasonal High Water Table (SHWT)evaluations
- Wenner 4-point in situ electrical resistivity
- Electrical resistivity imaging
- Cone penetration testing, Menard pressuremeter and dilatometer modulus testing
- Pile load testing (“pull” testing)
- Construction Phase “Proof” Load Testing
- Earthwork evaluation and materials testing
- Roadway condition surveys
- Lime and cement stabilization
Laboratory Services
- Moisture Content
- Organic Content
- Atterberg Limits
- Grain Size
- Specific Gravity
- Proctor compaction and Relative Density
- Unconfined compressive strength of soil and rock
- Corrosion Series: pH, electrical resistivity, redox, sulfate, sulfide, and chloride concentration
- California and Limerock Bearing Ratio
- Thermal Conductivity
- Consolidation
- Expansion and collapse potential
- Direct Shear
- Triaxial Shear Testing
Enginering Services
- Site feasibility studies
- Site geotechnical characterization
- Panel racking foundation design and Lpile analyses
- Structural engineering & design
- Seismic analyses
- Slope stability analyses
- Geologic hazard evaluation
- Permitting, construction, and RFI support
- Aggregate surfaced roadway design
- Risk assessment
- Construction monitoring