Today’s solar sites come with a variety of risks that can threaten a project’s success. As solar developers explore unprecedently tough sites, the foundation to project success starts below ground. Getting the basics right, like foundation selection is becoming more difficult as we explore uncharted land. Whether it is subsurface refusal at the time of installation, or frost heave that challenges your project over the long run, choosing the right foundation is key to managing risk and completing projects on time and within budget.

Foundation installation is the most expensive element in installation costs while also posing the highest risk. Making smart choices upfront can protect you from unplanned costs and delays.

The trick is figuring out how to weigh the costs and benefits properly to pencil out strong projects that can deliver the most dependable returns. Selecting the right ground-mount foundation is key to optimizing a project’s risk profile. Each foundation option comes with a different set of considerations — including component cost and refusal risk — with each offering varying ramifications on schedules and budgets.

With over a decade of experience installing driven piles and known as one of the first providers of ground screw foundations in the U.S., the depth of Terrasmart’s engineering and field expertise leads the industry in speed and quality. With a broad portfolio of different foundation options, we are positioned to offer an unbiased opinion on foundation selection to help developers, EPCs, and asset owners ensure long term project success.