Foundations for Fixed Tilt Solutions | Solarport

Foundations for Fixed Tilt Solutions

Solutions that adjust to varying soil types, slopes, and site constraints.

Solutions That Adjust to Varying Soil Types, Slopes, and Site Constraints

Regardless of the ground conditions or site constraints, Solarport provides cost-effective, easy-to-assemble solar ground mounts with foundations ideally suited to any location.

 

Our foundation solutions are suitable for various ground conditions, including hard, soft, and rocky soils, as well as sites where deep piling is not feasible. We offer options for areas where heavy machinery cannot be used and where ground disturbance is not permitted. For sites with varied ground conditions, our interchangeable foundations allow you to apply the most appropriate solution to each specific area.

Foundation Options for Every Terrain

C-Pile

Single Post
Twin Post

V-Pile

Single Post
Twin Post

Concreted Pile

Single Post
Twin Post

Ballasted

Twin Post

Gabion Basket

Twin Post

X-Anchor

Twin Post

Direct Fix

Twin Post

Ground Screw

Twin Post
  • C-Pile

    Single Post
    Twin Post

    The most commonly used foundation, the C-Pile, is suitable for the majority of projects where a piling rig can be accessed. Designed for sites where the ground presents little or no restrictions, these piles are manufactured from structural-grade steel, ensuring a hassle-free installation and long-lasting durability.

    Suitable for:

    Sites where breaking ground is possible and geotechnical results permit use. Performs well in softer ground conditions

    Installation:

    Piling rig

    Material:

    S450 grade steel

    Coatings:

    ZM800, ZM1200 or Hot Dip Galvanised
    Corrosion protection is determined from ground investigations

    Dimensions:

    Determined by geotechnical and wind load test results. Embedment determined by geotechnical and pull-out test results

    Design Codes:

    Designed in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 + A1:2010, BS EN 1090, BS EN 1991, BS EN 1993-1-1:2005, BS EN 1993-1-3:2006, BS EN 1993-1-8:2005, BS EN 1997-1:2004, BS EN 1997-2.

  • V-Pile

    Single Post
    Twin Post

    For sites that present rocky or firm ground, the V-Pile foundation excels in providing a robust solution. It is especially effective for areas that can be accessed by piling equipment but where the terrain poses challenges that typical equipment might not overcome. When ground investigation reports are provided, the V-Pile can be tailored with various lengths to match specific ground and wind conditions.

    The V-Pile foundation is compatible with our Single & Twin-Post Fixed Tilt System.

    Suitable for:

    Sites where breaking ground is possible and geotechnical results permit use. Performs well in rocky and/or hard ground conditions

    Installation:

    Piling Rig

    Material:

    S450 grade steel

    Dimensions:

    Determined by geotechnical and wind load test results. Embedment determined by geotechnical and pull-out test results

    Design Codes:

    Designed in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 + A1:2010, BS EN 1090, BS EN 1991, BS EN 1993-1-1:2005, BS EN 1993-1-3:2006, BS EN 1993-1-8:2005, BS EN 1997-1:2004, BS EN 1997-2.

  • Concreted Pile

    Single Post
    Twin Post

    For sites where ground penetration is feasible, and either a shorter pile is required or appropriate machinery is available, the piles can be concreted directly into the ground.

    Suitable for:

    Sites where breaking ground is possible and a shorter pile is required and/or machinery is available

    Installation:

    Augered hole & Postcrete per hole

    Material

    S450 grade steel 

    Coatings

    ZM800  or ZM1200
    Corrosion protection to be determined from site location and ground investigations

    Dimensions

    120 mm x 70 mm x 2.85 mm x 1500 mm

    Design codes:

    Designed in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 + A1:2010, BS EN 1090, BS EN 1991, BS EN 1993-1-1:2005, BS EN 1993-1-3:2006, BS EN 1993-1-8:2005, BS EN 1997-1:2004, BS EN 1997-2.

  • Ballasted

    Twin Post

    On flat sites where ground penetration is not feasible, whether due to underground utilities, archaeological importance, or extremely low cohesive resistance/high soil corrosivity, a ballast system offers an ideal alternative.

    Utilising readily available materials such as high-density concrete blocks and pre-cast concrete mono-blocks, the ballast system is not only straightforward to install but also exceptionally versatile in its application.

    Suitable for:

    Sites where breaking ground is not permitted (archaeological, ecological, geotechnical, landfill)

    Installation:

    Steel plates weighted with high density concrete blocks. Required ballast weights are calculated based on the system type and applied loads to counteract uplift forces.

    Material:

    S450 grade steel 

    Coatings:

    ZM800. Corrosion protection is determined from ground investigations.

    Dimensions:

    Plate size: 860mm x 985mm

    Design codes:

    Designed in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 + A1:2010, BS EN 1090, BS EN 1991, BS EN 1993-1-1:2005, BS EN 1993-1-3:2006, BS EN 1993-1-8:2005, BS EN 1997-1:2004, BS EN 1997-2.

  • Gabion Basket

    Twin Post

    Gabion baskets are effective on sloped surfaces up to 10°, where embedment is not viable. Filled with heavyweight materials such as stones and rocks, the basket is anchored into place through gravity. Their flexibility allows them to adapt to uneven terrain, while the large ground contact area increases friction and prevents movement. Additionally, they control erosion by preventing soil loss and maintaining slope integrity over time.

    The Gabion Basket foundation is compatible with our Twin-Post Fixed Tilt system.

    Suitable for:

    Sites where breaking ground is not permitted (archaeological or geotechnical) and where local topography is not suited for ballasted foundations

    Installation:

    Steel plates inside of a mesh basket, with gabion stones as weight. Required gabion weights are calculated based on the system type and applied loads to counteract uplift forces.

    Material:

    Base Plate: S450 grade steel with ZM800 pre-galvanised coating
    Basket: Galfan Class A (Zn95%/AI5%) coated welded mesh gabions

    Dimensions:

    Gabion Basket aperture: 75 mm²
    Overall dimension determined by terrain, environmental conditions and system type

    Design Codes:

    Designed in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 + A1:2010, BS EN 1090, BS EN 1991, BS EN 1993-1-1:2005, BS EN 1993-1-3:2006, BS EN 1993-1-8:2005, BS EN 1997-1:2004, BS EN 1997-2.

  • X-Anchor

    Twin Post

    With the use of only hand tools or an SDS drill, our patented X-Anchor foundation allows for solar installation on reclaimed ground, such as former landfills, shallow embedment, or when access to large machinery is limited.

    Suitable for:

    Sites that require shallow embedment and/or no heavy machinery

    Installation:

    Steel blade driven with a post knocker, SDS drill or hand tools

    Material

    X-Anchor Body: Hot rolled steel (S355JR) hot dipped galvanised to ISO 1461.
    X-Anchor Folded Blade: S450 grade steel with ZM800 or ZM1200 pre-galvanised coating.

    Dimensions

    Blade length determined by geotechnical and wind load test results

    Design codes:

    Designed in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 + A1:2010, BS EN 1090, BS EN 1991, BS EN 1993-1-1:2005, BS EN 1993-1-3:2006, BS EN 1993-1-8:2005, BS EN 1997-1:2004, BS EN 1997-2.

  • Direct Fix

    Twin Post

    Engineered for use with both concrete blocks and non-cracked concrete, a direct fix foundation reduces material consumption, adapts seamlessly to existing site conditions, and delivers outstanding performance in challenging environments.

    Suitable for:

    Non-cracked concrete foundations ranging between C20/25 & C50/60 

    Installation:

    Torque controlled expansion bolts fitted into concrete with hand tools. Required concrete pads are calculated based on the system type and applied loads to counteract uplift forces.

    Material:

    Adjustable upright: S450 grade steel
    Bolts: High tensile steel hot dipped galvanised to EN 1461 

    Coatings:

    ZM310, ZM430, ZM620, ZM800
    Corrosion protection is to be determined from the site location

    Dimensions:

    M12 x 145mm torque controlled expansion bolts

    Design Codes:

    Designed in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 +A1:2010. BS EN 1090 & BS EN 1991 Parts 1, 3 & 7 (Eurocodes)

  • Ground Screw

    Twin Post

    For smaller-scale installations, or in locations inaccessible to heavy machinery, the screw pile can be installed with minimal disturbance to the soil and surrounding environment.

    This foundation provides a fast and efficient installation method for ground with a high clay content. Its durability and adaptability make it an ideal solution for a broad range of small to medium-sized projects.

    Suitable for:

    Sites where breaking ground is possible and geotechnical results permit use

    Installation

    By hand and/or with machinery

    Material

    Pipe: S235 Grade Steel   
    Flange: S355 Grade Steel 
    Hot dip galvanised to DIN EN ISO 1461

    Dimensions

    Pipe: 76mm x 3mm x 1250mm   
    Flange: 200mm x 8mm

    Design codes:

    Enquire for more details

Choosing the Best Foundation for Your Project

Using your site requirements and the data you provide (Ground Investigation Report, General Layout, UXO Report, Utility Surveys, and any archaeological or ecological constraints), we carry out a detailed assessment of your site. This enables us to design a system tailored to your site, with the appropriate foundations in place.

References

Utility Scale

Medebridge, 71 MWp, United Kingdom

Utility Scale

Rampisham, 11 MWp, United Kingdom

Utility Scale

Bindwell, 12 MWp, United Kingdom

  • Medebridge, 71 MWp

    Utility Scale

    Location: United Kingdom

    Foundation:

    C-Pile

    Summary:

    Medebridge Solar Farm covers 175 acres near South Ockendon and features 102,508 panels installed on our 2-in-Portrait, piled mounting system.

    Medebridge Solar Farm now delivers renewable electricity to the University of Manchester through a landmark 10-year Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The site supplies around 65% of the University’s electricity needs, with approximately 80% of its output (around 58 GWh each year) purchased by the institution. This partnership helps to prevent roughly 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

  • Rampisham, 11 MWp

    Utility Scale

    Location: United Kingdom

    Foundation Type

    V-Pile

    Summary:

    Rampisham, a British Solar Renewables site, uses our 2-in-Portrait mounting system, supported by V-Pile foundations designed to suit the site’s hard ground conditions.

    Today, the site produces clean, dependable energy for over 2,500 homes each year, while preserving nationally important grassland and improving the surrounding landscape. It demonstrates how well-planned solar projects can deliver meaningful climate gains while protecting the environments that matter most to local communities.

  • Bindwell, 12 MWp

    Utility Scale

    Location: United Kingdom

    Foundation:

    C-Pile

    Summary:

    This 12 MWp solar farm combines our 2-in-Portrait, Twin Post mounting system with a piled foundation to deliver renewable energy at scale.