Case Study
Solar Farm Pad Support - Montpelier, OH
SITUATION
An Ohio solar farm to provide critical electrical infrastructure required foundational infrastructure support, primarliy for transformer skids and battery pads. The project also needed to be fast-tracked to meet time constraints. The foundation was required to deliver long-term resistance to settlement and soil movement and to reduce lifecycle risk compared to traditional concrete foundations. After evaluating the site's needs, helical piles emerged as the ideal solution — offering the structural stability and long-term durability the project demanded while keeping ground disturbance to a minimum.
SCOPE OF WORK
A 113 megawatt utility scale solar farm was constructed in Montpelier, Ohio. Cantsink engineered and installed high-capacity helical piles, providing immediate load-bearing support without the need for excavation or concrete cure time. The system enabled rapid installation while maintaining precise elevation and alignment for transformer skids and container foundations. A few key benefits included a rapid, four-day installation, immediate structural capacity, minimal site disruption, long-term protection against settlement and foundation failure, and reduced construction time and lifecycle costs.
ANCHOR SYSTEM
Time was of the essence to install helical piles for transformer skids, with a 140 pile configuration of 4-inch diameter shafts, each with double 14"/16" helices. Each pile had a length of 10.5 feet with an above-grade of 18 inches and a minimum embedment depth of 8 feet. 14 Sungrow containers were supported - these containers can weigh up to several tons.
RESULTS
The completed helical pile foundation system delivers durable, long-term support aligned with the operational lifespan of the solar facility—helping safeguard equipment, maximize uptime, and protect the project's investment. The system enabled a rapid 4 day installation while maintaining precise elevation and alignment for the the transformer skids and Sungrow containers. By leveraging Cantsink's proven helical pile technology, the project achieved a fast, resilient, and future-ready foundation solution tailored to the demands of utility-scale renewable energy development.
