A new landmark on your morning commute... While waiting for the concrete foundations for the SolFocus installation to cure, we've spotlighted the work in progress with a sign on the freeway side.
Recently in Solar Blog Category
The contractors were able to pour concrete on Wednesday. This completes work on the foundations located on the south side of the building.
With the weather delay and the design changes to the pedestal foundations behind us, it looks like the work is on schedule. The newly poured concrete will require several days to cure, a process that should be complete by early next week.
As soon as the concrete foundations are ready, three 9-foot tall pedestals will be mounted on them, using a crane to lift them in place. These pedestals will hold the "tracking" panels for the SolFocus system, which follows the movement of the sun during the day.
With the weather delay and the design changes to the pedestal foundations behind us, it looks like the work is on schedule. The newly poured concrete will require several days to cure, a process that should be complete by early next week.
As soon as the concrete foundations are ready, three 9-foot tall pedestals will be mounted on them, using a crane to lift them in place. These pedestals will hold the "tracking" panels for the SolFocus system, which follows the movement of the sun during the day.
On Monday, work continued on the foundation forms. Tuesday, the foundation forms were completed. The ground is beginning to dry, and the second concrete pour is scheduled for today, Wednesday.
Also on Tuesday, electricians were working on wiring for the solar panels on the west side of the building.
On Friday, work continued on foundation forms at the south side of the building. When these forms are completed, more concrete will be poured.
There was no work at the site on Wednesday. The contractors say that it may take several days for the new concrete foundations to cure, depending on the weather.
The crew was back yesterday. They worked on rebar and forms for the foundations on the south side of the building. This is in preparation for pouring a second layer of concrete. Due to the very soft soil, and high water table, the design of two (of the three) foundations was revised to require two layers of concrete.
The crew was back yesterday. They worked on rebar and forms for the foundations on the south side of the building. This is in preparation for pouring a second layer of concrete. Due to the very soft soil, and high water table, the design of two (of the three) foundations was revised to require two layers of concrete.
It's Tuesday, and the rain has returned. Not heavy, but just enough to make working outdoors miserable.
The contractors finished excavation for two foundations on the south side of the building (facing the freeway). By midday, they began to pour concrete. This will need to set for two to three days. 
Tomorrow, they will continue work on the third foundation.
On Monday, 2/18, the contractors were back at work. They installed the solar panels on the west side of the building, and continued foundation work on the south side.
No work again today. The contractors have confirmed that they will be back on Monday to start foundation work on the south side of the building. This work will take about a week, as it will be done in two stages. There will be two concrete pours; the first pour must set for three days.
No work on the project today.
The concrete foundation for the solar panels on the west side of the building is complete, but the foundations on the freeway (south) side of the building have not been started. After initial excavation, it was found that the soil conditions required a different design. That design has been completed, and work will resume early next week.
No work at the site today. Yesterday, the contractors removed the forms from the concrete foundations; today, they're waiting for the concrete to cure.
Meanwhile, here's a picture of the KGO transmitter building and tower, taken from the freeway near the Dumbarton Bridge.
