⚙️ Technology Patent Innovations: Focus on Load Capacity and Adaptability

The industry focused on making ground screws more stable under complex geological conditions, with several notable structural and process innovations:

“Grouted” composite structure: By pouring concrete into the core section of the pile, integrating it with the helical blades and shaft, horizontal load capacity was significantly improved, enhancing resistance to external forces.

Pipe pile cavity grouting technology: A design allowing cement slurry to flow out from the pile shaft, filling gaps around the pile and reinforcing the surrounding soil, thereby increasing overall load capacity.

Hollow thin‑wall and microbially reinforced piles: Some designs use hollow internal structures for removable connection to PV mounts. One innovative technology even incorporates microbial culture components within the hollow structure, using biologically induced precipitation to fix the pile and mount – a highly forward‑looking, eco‑friendly reinforcement approach.

In addition, the industry conducted comparative research between steel screw piles and cast‑in‑place concrete piles, and advanced application calculations and theoretical refinements, such as providing data support for pile selection in desert PV projects and detailing limit load capacity calculation methods.

🏗️ Large‑Scale Project Applications: From Deserts to Overseas

These technological innovations laid the foundation for successful construction across various environments:

Deserts and sandy areas: Ground screws were widely used in a 200 MW PV project in the Gulang County desert region, a 340 MW PV project at the Kubuqi Desert PV base (using helical drilling techniques), and projects in Qinghai, Ningxia, and elsewhere.

Coal mining subsidence areas: A 1,000 MW PV power generation project in Ordos explicitly required steel screw piles for foundation construction.

Overseas projects: A 15 MW PV Phase II project in Guyana successfully completed the installation of 7,815 steel screw piles.

📊 Market Trends: Strong Demand, Diversified Applications

Industry data and tender activity in 2024 showed robust demand and diversified application scenarios for solar ground screws.

Market size and demand: According to the China Construction Metal Structure Association, the domestic screw pile market exceeded RMB 8.5 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. National PV pile usage exceeded 680,000 tonnes, of which screw piles accounted for 61%, demonstrating their market dominance.

Increased penetration: As technology matured, screw pile applications expanded. The penetration rate of 10‑metre‑deep piles in large‑scale PV projects reached 37%, meeting higher load requirements.

Active procurement and tendering: Major energy companies issued large‑scale screw pile procurement or tender announcements in 2024, with quantities often reaching thousands or even tens of thousands of units – reflecting very active market demand.

💎 Core Advantages and Future Outlook

Overall, developments in 2024 further consolidated the central role of screw piles in PV foundations. Their key advantages include:

“Steel instead of concrete” – environmentally friendly and efficient: As a green solution, screw piles require no excavation, offer fast installation, and are removable and reusable, significantly shortening construction periods and reducing environmental disturbance.

Reliable performance and long durability: Screw pile performance continued to improve through the use of high‑strength steel grades such as Q235B or Q355B, combined with anti‑corrosion treatments like hot‑dip galvanising or Zn‑Al‑Mg coating, ensuring stability in various geological conditions and a service life of more than 25 years.