Deep Foundations For The Solar Energy Movement
Expertly designed, reliably driven. We are DFI, your one-stop steel piling source – and we’re excited to be your “foundation” for the solar energy movement! From design to cap, start to finish, consider it handled.
Deep foundations are an essential component of solar farm construction and a significant percentage of your total project costs. First and foremost, DFI can help you determine the feasibility of your project before a substantial investment is made.
DFI designs driven or helical piles and will determine which pile type(s), pile lengths, etc. best suit your project through pile load testing. The goal is to optimize preliminary design based on information from the geotechnical and load evaluation through actual field testing.
DFI is proud to bring its extensive experience in steel pile deep foundations (both helical and driven) to solar energy providers.
Civil Drilling For Solar Projects
In addition to all things piling, we’d like to highlight that we offer civil drilling for solar farms. Included in our portfolio are the Wellington Solar Farm in New South Wales and Blue Grass Solar Farm in Queensland.
What We Do For Solar Piling Projects
Pile Design – Our in-house team of engineers create concepts tailored to your needs and are ready to assist with up-front design and testing.
Civil Drilling – We offer a large mobile fleet of customized air drilling units and auger drilling rigs that can handle most soil conditions.
Survey – DFI surveyors use the latest technology to provide precise layouts for both foundations and field fabrication of pile caps, guaranteeing accurate and timely results every time.
Manufacturing & Supply – Proud to own and operate our very own independent piling pipe mill in North America, intentionally designed to rapidly respond to customers’ changing needs. We also source piling materials from numerous pre-qualified mills in other countries. Additionally, DFI maintains a healthy stock of piling material to satisfy urgent project needs.
Installation – Proprietary and purpose-built equipment allow us to tackle tough terrain in remote locations, harsh climates, tight overhead spaces, and environmentally sensitive sites. Usually, we can address issues right in the field as they arise.
Testing – Our engineers use your geotechnical data and structural needs to develop a personalized load testing program that meet or exceed industry standards. Following this we execute static or dynamic tests using our proprietary installation equipment.
Cap Supply & Install – Our services end with pile cutting and capping, which reduces unnecessary delays and maintains a single point of contact for your piling project.
Pile Extraction – At the end of a pile’s life cycle or project, DFI can extract our steel piles using either vibratory or rotary methods. These piles can often be reused, and if not, recycled.
Types Of Steel Piling For Solar Projects
Helical Piles For Solar Farm Foundations
Helical piles are a popular option for solar farm foundations and are often used in less stable soil conditions. The helix offers greater soil resistance making the pile less susceptible to uplift.
Driven Steel Piles For Solar Farm Foundations
Driven steel piles provide yet another viable option for solar farm foundations. They’re ideal in harder soil conditions, where subsurface boulders or shallow bedrock exist.