January 25, 2023
Turkey Creek: breaking through Kentucky’s rock
Located in Garrard County, KY, the Turkey Creek project features 151,296 solar modules that generate 70-megawatts (MWDC) of clean energy.
“Every project is different because it has its own unique set of conditions,” Project Manager Marlon Orellana said.
A significant challenge that the Turkey Creek project crew encountered were the natural underground conditions of the Kentucky geology. The project faced delays, and specialized equipment was even brought in to break through the rock to complete the necessary structural support for the solar panels.
However, what makes Turkey Creek unique is not the natural terrain or the number of solar modules installed, but rather the high morale that the crew maintained throughout the entirety of the project and their exemplary safety record.
“Safe people, healthy people will, of course, mean increased production, good production for the project. At the end of the day, that's why we work for it, to be able to go back to our homes and families,” Orellana said.
The project recorded over 240,000-man hours and had zero recordable injuries during construction.
“This project has been a success because we safely completed the job, which is the main objective of the company. Secondly, we achieved completion within the contract dates,” Orellana said.
With more than 300 employees contributing to safe and quality construction, Turkey Creek is a success not only for IEA, but for our clients. To date, this is the largest utility-scale solar-powered plant in Central Kentucky and estimated to create enough energy to power approximately 9,000 homes annually.
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