Operational Sites: Environmental Inspection 2024-2026 Solar

Pre-inspection preparation:

• Pollution incident risk assessment (PIRA). The PIRA must be updated as part of the inspection. It can be completed before or after the visit. When updating the PIRA, take into account any environmental records on Sphera from the previous year and also findings from the environmental inspection. Speak to the Environmental manager or Degree Apprentice for instructions on how to update the PIRA if you are unsure.

• If the operational site is being operated & maintained by an external contractor (GE, SGRE, Enercon, Wartsila are all examples) Contact them in advance of the visit to obtain: evidence of environmental spill response training and evidence of waste management (if this is in their contract to manage). Examples include certificates of completion for training, material used to deliver training and waste management paperwork.

• Operational site name and location

  Select

• Date the environmental inspection was conducted on.

  Date

• People completing or participating in the inspection:

• Has there been any Sphera Environmental Records since the previous inspection. If so, do they need to be reviewed during this check?

• Has the 'operational sites compliance matrix' been changed to reflect current activity relating to planning commitments? Please summarise.

  Select yes, the site's matrix has been reviewed. no, the compliance matrix for this site should be reviewed and updated to match its planning commitments. not applicable, the site does not have or need a compliance matrix.

  • yes, the site's matrix has been reviewed.
  • no, the compliance matrix for this site should be reviewed and updated to match its planning commitments.
  • not applicable, the site does not have or need a compliance matrix.

• Does the site have active habitat/landscape and/or ornithological monitoring?

  Select Yes, continue to complete this section No, move onto the next section.

  • Yes, continue to complete this section
  • No, move onto the next section.

• Please tick all monitoring that applies:

  Select Ornithological monitoring Peatland monitoring Forestry monitoring Landscape monitoring Bat monitoring Habitat creation monitoring Marine life monitoring not applicable, no monitoring is required.

  • Ornithological monitoring
  • Peatland monitoring
  • Forestry monitoring
  • Landscape monitoring
  • Bat monitoring
  • Habitat creation monitoring
  • Marine life monitoring
  • not applicable, no monitoring is required.

• Out of the above list can any be practically assessed on site and/or via desk review? If an assessment can take place, summarise findings here.

Solvents and Chemicals (PV Cleaner and Paints)

• Are there any solvents/chemicals stored on-site. (Usually store inside of a shipping container or COSHH Locker)

  Select Yes there are solvents and/or chemicals being stored on site. N/A, There are no solvents or chemicals being stored on site.

  • Yes there are solvents and/or chemicals being stored on site.
  • N/A, There are no solvents or chemicals being stored on site.

• If so, are all solvents and/or chemicals being stored appropriately and in good condition?

  Select All fluids on site (solvents and chemicals) are being stored inside a building in the correct containment method e.g. a container with no signs of wear and they all have their correct lids on. For the most part, all fluids on site are being stored ok, with only a few items missing a lid or are slightly worn. Most fluids and chemicals are not being stored appropriately and show evidence of pollution/leaking causing stains on site. N/A, there are no solvents or chemicals present on site.

  • All fluids on site (solvents and chemicals) are being stored inside a building in the correct containment method e.g. a container with no signs of wear and they all have their correct lids on.
  • For the most part, all fluids on site are being stored ok, with only a few items missing a lid or are slightly worn.
  • Most fluids and chemicals are not being stored appropriately and show evidence of pollution/leaking causing stains on site.
  • N/A, there are no solvents or chemicals present on site.

• Describe any solvents or chemicals found and attach a photograph. e.g. includes panel cleaning solutions and paints. Type N/A if there are none present.

Waste:

• Is there any waste storage facilities on site?

  Select Yes, there is waste stored on site No, there is no waste storage on site

  • Yes, there is waste stored on site
  • No, there is no waste storage on site

• If so, are the waste storage facilities in good condition?

  Select The waste facilities are in good condition and there is no evidence of poor waste management. The waste facilities are in poor condition and some waste is escaping into the environment.

  • The waste facilities are in good condition and there is no evidence of poor waste management.
  • The waste facilities are in poor condition and some waste is escaping into the environment.

• Is there any evidence of waste/spare panels on site?

  Select There is no evidence of stored waste/spare panels on site There are waste panels on site and they are being dealt with There are waste panels on site and they are not being dealt with/have been left abandoned.

  • There is no evidence of stored waste/spare panels on site
  • There are waste panels on site and they are being dealt with
  • There are waste panels on site and they are not being dealt with/have been left abandoned.

F-gas:

• is there an air conditioning unit at the control building? If so list all units and take photos of their specification stickers.

  yes

  No

• If applicable, have units been inspected in line with F-gas regulations?

  Select No, the register is not completed and volumes are not obtained yes volumes are obtained, but the register is not yet completed. Yes volumes are obtained and register is completed.

  • No, the register is not completed and volumes are not obtained
  • yes volumes are obtained, but the register is not yet completed.
  • Yes volumes are obtained and register is completed.

• Does the operational site have SF6 located in switchegear?

  yes

  No

• If the above question is yes, has the site's SF6 register been completed along with required leak tests?

  Select No, the register is not completed and volumes are not obtained yes volumes are obtained, but the register is not yet completed. Yes volumes are obtained and register is completed.

  • No, the register is not completed and volumes are not obtained
  • yes volumes are obtained, but the register is not yet completed.
  • Yes volumes are obtained and register is completed.

• Is drainage present that would pose a pollution risk?

  Select No, there is no drainage present on site that poses a pollution risk. Yes, there is drainage on site that could pose a pollution risk if not managed.

  • No, there is no drainage present on site that poses a pollution risk.
  • Yes, there is drainage on site that could pose a pollution risk if not managed.

• If drainage is present, identify the best means of environmental risk reduction: identifying surface/foul vs. full drainage plan; drain covers on site are examples.

• Are chemical & oil stores controlled in a manner to prevent pathways to drains? If 'no' then utilise the next section to make improvements & suggestions.

  Select yes, housekeeping and site conditions are in order and poses little risk to drainage. housekeeping and site conditions is sufficient but should be improved in some examples to protect drainage. housekeeping and site conditions is in poor condition and poses a risk to pollute via drain pathways. Not applicable as there is no drainage and/or oil chemical stores or site conditions to impact drains.

  • yes, housekeeping and site conditions are in order and poses little risk to drainage.
  • housekeeping and site conditions is sufficient but should be improved in some examples to protect drainage.
  • housekeeping and site conditions is in poor condition and poses a risk to pollute via drain pathways.
  • Not applicable as there is no drainage and/or oil chemical stores or site conditions to impact drains.

• If there is no drainage plan, would the operational site benefit from one?

  Select Drainage Plan would be beneficial to control pollution risk A drainage plan would not be beneficial (no outside drains in vicinity of the control building and/or it is clear where drains go).

  • Drainage Plan would be beneficial to control pollution risk
  • A drainage plan would not be beneficial (no outside drains in vicinity of the control building and/or it is clear where drains go).

• If applicable, is the drainage plan visible and easily accessed?

  Select yes, the drainage plan is visible and easily accessed (explain how) no the drainage plan is not visible or easily accessed Not applicable as there is no drainage

  • yes, the drainage plan is visible and easily accessed (explain how)
  • no the drainage plan is not visible or easily accessed
  • Not applicable as there is no drainage

• Watercourses: If practical, check for presence of silt. If silt is present, assess potential root causes, identify location on the printed map and take a photograph. Depending on circumstances this may be Sphera recordable.

  Select Silt is present and is a pollution risk. Sphera recordable. Watercourse(s) was checked and no presence of silt Not applicable as no watercourses on site or could not check.

  • Silt is present and is a pollution risk. Sphera recordable.
  • Watercourse(s) was checked and no presence of silt
  • Not applicable as no watercourses on site or could not check.

• Please describe here any concerns on the operational site regarding water pollution risk. (e.g. blocked culverts). If there is no specific concern, write not applicable.

Environmental near hits & incidents:

• Pollutant that has escaped containment (e.g. transformer) but not entered the environment (soil/water).

  Select Yes, Record on Sphera No

  • Yes, Record on Sphera
  • No

• Pollutant that has escaped into the environment to soil. Example: Stains/liquids present on the soil/ground.

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Pollutant that has escaped into the environment to watercourse. Example: Discolouration of the watercourse (that can be practically accessed).

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Waste that has escaped into the environment (e.g. litter).

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Deliberate fly tipping

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Plant die back due/likely due to presence of pollution.

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Evidence of fires (black patches on soil, items that have been burnt)

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Dead wildlife, marine life, archaeological concerns present.

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Is there any evidence of damage to the panels or connecting infrastructure on site?

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Enter the number of Transformers present on site

• Make sure to sample at least 10% of the transformers on site and answer the following questions.

• Are the sampled transformer(s) in good condition?

  Awaiting identification

• Are the sampled transformer(s) housed correctly? If they do not have housing consider whether it is necessary based on pollution risk and water ingress.

  Awaiting identification

• Is any evidence of damage to the transformer/housing of the transformer?

  Yes, Record on Sphera

  No

• Awaiting identification

• Please summarise the environmental inspection and include any findings not identified in the checklist items.