Photovoltaic support pile foundation pile length calculation

The foundation's load-bearing strength is inadequate, whereas the requirements for offshore photovoltaic installations demand pile foundations with substantial bearing capacity. Through the comparison of various theoretical calculation methods with on-site test results, this study seeks to offer insights for optimizing offshore photovoltaic .

To study the frost jacking performance of photovoltaic support steel pipe screw pile foundations in seasonally frozen soil areas at high latitudes and low altitudes and prevent excessive frost jacking displacement, this study determines the best geometric parameters of screw piles through in situ tests and simulation methods.

Piles tested at Site 1 were either single- or double-helix piles (pile types SP1 and SP2) with a shaft diameter of 89 mm, a wall thickness of 6.5 mm, a length of 4.5 m, a helix diameter of 304 mm, and a helix thickness of 9.5 mm. Figure 1 shows details of test pile configurations while Table 1 summarizes the pile configurations.

Knowing the site’s geological characteristics allows engineers to choose the most suitable pile type and driving method, ensuring a stable foundation for the solar farm. The data gathered during the pre-construction phase directly influences the pile driving strategy—including the selection of equipment, pile material, and installation method.

The number of pile foundations can vary from a few thousand for a small solar farm to in excess of 100,000 for a large solar farm. Two issues are addressed in this paper. First, the relatively short lengths of the piles means that soil expansion and contraction are important factors.

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6 FAQs about [Photovoltaic support pile foundation pile length calculation]

How many pile foundations should a solar farm have?

What are the different types of photovoltaic support foundations?

The common forms of photovoltaic support foundations include concrete independent foundations, concrete strip foundations, concrete cast-in-place piles, prestressed high-strength concrete (PHC piles), steel piles and steel pipe screw piles. The first three are cast-in situ piles, and the last three are precast piles.

What is a solar pile & foundation?

At Exactus Energy, we specialize in providing thorough solar pile and foundation designs to set you up for success through installation and beyond. Solar pile structures are foundational components supporting solar panel arrays, often composed of durable materials like steel or aluminum.

Can photovoltaic support steel pipe screw piles survive frost jacking?

How do I choose a pile for a solar farm?

The load-bearing capacity needed for the solar farm is another critical factor in selecting the type of pile. Projects requiring high load capacities—such as those with large, heavy solar panels or in regions with significant wind forces—may necessitate the use of concrete or composite piles.

What is the average distance between pile foundations?

The average distance between those pile foundations was more than 5 m, arranged in a semi-circular area with a radius of about 7 m. Located at the center of the circle was the PHC short pile foundation with a diameter of 600 mm, which acted as a reaction system.

Photovoltaic support pile foundation pile length calculation