Introduction: Soil Types and Solar Foundation Selection

In the planning and construction of photovoltaic (PV) power plants, the mounting foundation serves as the critical link connecting the PV array to the ground. Its selection directly impacts the overall structural safety, anti-settlement capability, and construction cost of the plant. Soil conditions largely determine the choice of foundation solution for solar mounting systems. The soil's bearing capacity defines the load it can support per unit area—for instance, hard rock and compact sandy soil have high bearing capacity, while soft silt and backfill soil are relatively low. As a global leader in solar mounting systems, Grace Solar leverages over a decade of experience and a cumulative global installed capacity of 48GW to provide optimized foundation strategies tailored to specific site conditions.



Concrete Foundation: The Reliable "Gravity Warrior"

Concrete foundations, primarily including isolated footings and strip footings, rely on their own weight and contact area with the soil to provide stability. They utilize the compressive strength of concrete and a larger base area to distribute structural loads into the ground.

Advantages:

Mature technology, convenient construction, excellent durability, and wide adaptability to various upper mounting structures.

Disadvantages:

Significant earthwork excavation, long construction period, wet processes having certain environmental impact, and difficulty in site restoration after removal. For projects requiring robust and permanent solutions, Grace Solar's engineering team can integrate concrete foundations effectively into its GS-Smart ground mounting system, ensuring design efficiency and long-term stability.



Pile Foundation: The "Anchor" Penetrating Soft Layers

Pile foundations transfer structural loads to deeper, harder soil or rock strata by driving piles through weak surface layers. They primarily rely on side friction and end-bearing resistance. Types include precast pipe piles, screw piles, and micro-piles.

Advantages:

High load-bearing capacity, rapid installation, minimal site disturbance, making them especially suitable for complex terrains and mountainous projects.

Disadvantages:

Require specialized piling equipment, can be challenging in strata with large boulders, and relatively higher cost. Grace Solar, with its 2000m² experiment center and sophisticated engineering team, has successfully deployed pile foundations in hundreds of MW-scale projects across over 100 countries, overcoming geological challenges from Australia to the Middle East.



Ground Screw: The Rapid "Surface Anchor"

Ground screws involve drilling a hole, injecting high-strength cement or chemical grout, and anchoring a bolt into it. They provide pull-out and shear resistance through the bonding force and mechanical interlock between the grout and the native soil/rock.

Advantages:

Extremely fast installation, no curing period, minimal excavation, and good environmental compatibility.

Disadvantages:

Best suited for firm soils, load-bearing capacity highly dependent on the density and integrity of in-situ soil, requires high construction precision, and quality inspection can be challenging. Grace Solar's GS-Light intelligent tracking system often incorporates precisely engineered ground screw solutions for stable and quick deployment.


Grace Solar's Expertise: Tailored Solutions for Diverse Soils

While no one-size-fits-all solution exists for diverse soil conditions, Grace Solar leverages its extensive project experience—spanning the rocky terrains of the U.S., the soft soils of Southeast Asia, and the permafrost of northern regions—to deploy the right solution in the most suitable soil. Our mission is to "Mount every solar plant firm as rock, bring more profits from the sun".

Backed by a fully equipped key laboratory and holding over 100 patents, we tailor-mounting systems that are safe, efficient, and offer optimal lifecycle costs. Our products, certified by UL, TUV, CE, JIS, MCS, AS/NZS1170, and backed by wind tunnel test reports, ensure reliability. As one of the few Chinese brands offering complete solutions in both distributed (DSP) and utility-scale (CSP) markets, we adhere to the core value of "Do it right the first time".

Need a Custom Solution? Whether your project involves rock, soft soil, frozen ground, or other complex conditions, Grace Solar's team can design the optimal foundation and mounting system. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and ensure your solar plant stands firm for decades.