Piling
Solar Farm Piling
Pile foundations for ground-mounted solar panel structures, set out in accurate rows across large sites.
Overview
Ground-mounted solar farms need hundreds or thousands of small foundations that hold the panel mounting structures in place for the life of the plant. Piled foundations are usually the quickest and most economical way to provide them.
Steel posts are typically driven into the ground by a dedicated pile driving machine, row after row. In hard or rocky ground the post positions may be pre-drilled first, or concrete piles used instead, depending on the design.
Accuracy matters as much as speed: the mounting system only fits if every post is in line, at the right level and plumb. Positions are set out with survey equipment and checked as the work progresses.
Typical applications
- Utility-scale ground-mounted solar farms
- Solar plants for industrial and commercial sites
- Solar carports and canopy structures
- Foundations for mounting structures on sloping or uneven land
Our process
Review the layout and ground
We review the array layout, the mounting-system requirements and the ground information, and plan the installation sequence.
Survey and set out
Rows and post positions are set out across the site with survey equipment.
Install the piles
Posts are driven row by row, with pre-drilling where hard ground or rock is found.
Check line, level and plumb
Installed posts are checked against the tolerances so the mounting structure fits without rework.
Test and hand over
Load tests are carried out where specified and the completed rows are handed over to the mounting team.
Photo gallery
Related projects
Frequently asked questions
What kind of piles are used for solar farms?
Most ground-mounted solar structures sit on steel posts driven directly into the ground. Where the ground is hard or rocky the positions can be pre-drilled, or concrete piles used, depending on the design.
How accurate does solar farm piling need to be?
Very accurate. The mounting structure is bolted to the posts, so each one must be in line, at level and plumb within the tolerances set by the mounting-system manufacturer. We check positions as the work progresses.
Do you work on solar sites outside Colombo?
Yes. We work island-wide in Sri Lanka, including large solar sites in rural areas.