Solid Foundations for the Stelpe PV Farm in Latvia
When the ground literally slips from under your feet… it’s time to screw piles! 🔩
While working on the construction of the Stelpe solar farm in Latvia (over 70 MW of installed capacity), we encountered a truly unusual challenge: peat soil — and in such abundance, it could practically be exported!
In these conditions, traditional foundations were simply not an option. So we turned to a proven, though often underestimated solution: steel screw piles.
Although screw piles have been around since the 19th century, they’re experiencing a real renaissance today. Why?
☑️ fast installation,
☑️ minimal noise and vibrations,
☑️ no excavation waste,
☑️ immediate continuation of construction after installation.
Even more — their load-bearing capacity can be verified during installation! With torque monitoring equipment, we can assess the structural resistance of each pile as it’s being screwed into the ground. And all of this at lower costs compared to traditional bored piles.
Of course, like any solution, screw piles aren’t perfect — in very hard or rocky soils, their performance may be limited. But in challenging, peat-heavy terrain? That hit the spot!
Just another reminder that smart design in renewables isn’t only about megawatts — it’s also about understanding the ground beneath your feet… literally!
