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
V-Pile
Concreted Pile
Ballasted
Gabion Basket
X-Anchor
Direct Fix
Ground Screw
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C-Pile
Single PostTwin PostThe 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 investigationsDimensions:
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.
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V-Pile
Single PostTwin PostFor 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.
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Concreted Pile
Single PostTwin PostFor 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 investigationsDimensions
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.
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Ballasted
Twin PostOn 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.
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Gabion Basket
Twin PostGabion 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 gabionsDimensions:
Gabion Basket aperture: 75 mm²
Overall dimension determined by terrain, environmental conditions and system typeDesign 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.
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X-Anchor
Twin PostWith 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.
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Direct Fix
Twin PostEngineered 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 locationDimensions:
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)
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Ground Screw
Twin PostFor 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 1461Dimensions
Pipe: 76mm x 3mm x 1250mm
Flange: 200mm x 8mmDesign 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
Medebridge, 71 MWp, United Kingdom
Rampisham, 11 MWp, United Kingdom
Bindwell, 12 MWp, United Kingdom
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Medebridge, 71 MWp
Utility ScaleLocation: 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 ScaleLocation: 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 ScaleLocation: 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.