Solar Farm Foundations – Screw Piles Save 25

A standard choice for solar farm foundations

Helical piles have become a standard choice for solar farm foundations, and rightly so. They bring clear advantages in speed, reliability, and cost efficiency. To address this specialised market, Paalupiste Oy set up a dedicated subsidiary, Helicasol Oy (www.helicasol.fi), which focuses solely on foundations for large-scale solar parks.

Site-specific foundation optimisation

At the heart of Helicasol's operation is site-specific foundation optimisation. The goal is always a technically solid design that is also as cost-effective as possible. In solar farms, where tens of thousands of piles are often needed, optimisation makes a huge difference: every euro saved translates into major project-level reductions. Naturally, the foundations must still meet all technical requirements, deliver the intended service life, and comply with building regulations.

Helicasol draws on the same seasoned team that has designed and installed helical pile solutions at Paalupiste for decades. Few companies in Europe can match this depth of practical experience with large solar farm foundations. Designs are always based on thorough calculations, with load capacity verified on site when necessary. Sound engineering is critical not just for performance but also for risk management, including insurability.

How the process works

The process typically follows these steps:

Initial data: The client supplies soil reports, or we conduct the investigations ourselves.

Preliminary quote: Using this information, we provide an estimate of costs and the recommended approach.

Testing and optimisation: Once the concept is approved, we carry out trial piles and load tests on site. This enables precise sizing for the local soil conditions, balancing safety and cost efficiency.

Final quote and execution: We submit a firm quotation for the piles and installation. Piles are produced with over 20 years of manufacturing expertise, and our rigs are purpose-built for solar parks, equipped with full GPS guidance for fast, accurate placement.

Completed foundation: The outcome is a turnkey solution: properly designed, cost-optimised foundations installed to professional standards. Full load data and complete documentation are supplied for every pile, giving clients both savings and total assurance.

Optimisation results

Optimisation often yields impressive results. In one project, the pile count dropped from 170,000 to 130,000. In another, the combined cost of foundations and structures fell from around 13.5 million euros to 8 million euros.

European coverage and beyond

Partnering with Helicasol gives you access to Europe's top-tier expertise in design, pile quality, and installation. We operate throughout Europe and further afield when needed, and we maintain an office in England to support clients in the UK and Ireland.

Keep in mind that helical piles are not limited to panel racking. They are equally suitable for other solar park structures, including substations, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and ancillary buildings.