Screw Piles: The "Quick-Install Wonder" for PV Ground Mounts
2024-03-18
What are Screw Piles?
Screw piles are a new type of foundation that requires no concrete pouring. Using specialized rotary installation equipment, steel piles with helical blades are screwed directly into the ground to serve as the support foundation for PV mounts. With advantages such as fast installation, no excavation, and recyclability, they have become an ideal choice for small-scale ground PV, agrivoltaics, temporary projects, and similar scenarios.
Core Advantages
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| No Concrete Required | No curing period, installation completed same day, saving 7-15 days of construction time |
| Fast Installation | Single-person operation, 2-3 minutes per pile; 10kW project can be completed in half a day |
| No Excavation | No surface disruption, protects vegetation, suitable for lawns, farmland, and ecologically sensitive areas |
| Recyclable | Can be removed after use, land fully restorable, suitable for temporary or leased sites |
| Strong Adaptability | Suitable for various geological conditions including sandy soil, clay, soft soil, and slopes |
| High Load Capacity | Excellent pullout and compressive resistance through soil-blade interaction |
Structural Components
| Component | Material | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Pile Shaft | Q355B hot-dip galvanized steel | Main load-bearing structure, transfers loads |
| Helical Blade | Same material, welded | Provides pullout resistance, enhances load capacity |
| Connection Flange | Same material | Connects to columns or mounts |
| Anti-Corrosion Layer | Hot-dip galvanized ≥85μm | Corrosion resistance, service life over 25 years |
Common Types
| Type | Features | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Blade Screw Pile | One helical blade, simple structure | Ordinary soil, moderate load requirements |
| Double-Blade Screw Pile | Two blades, stronger pullout resistance | Soft soil, high wind pressure areas |
| Flanged Screw Pile | Flange plate at top | Bolted connection to columns, easy installation |
| Integrated Screw Pile | Pile and column integrated | Small residential systems, no additional column needed |
| Mini Screw Pile | Small diameter (≤76mm) | Balconies, courtyards, small fences |
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Specification Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shaft Diameter | 76mm / 89mm / 114mm / 140mm | Selected based on load requirements |
| Blade Diameter | 150mm / 200mm / 250mm | Affects pullout resistance |
| Pile Length | 1.0m / 1.5m / 2.0m / 2.5m | Determined by geological conditions |
| Wall Thickness | 3.0mm / 4.0mm / 5.0mm | Load capacity correlates with thickness |
| Zinc Layer Thickness | ≥85μm | Hot-dip galvanized, 25+ year service life |
| Pullout Resistance | 10-50kN | Depends on soil conditions and pile type |
| Compressive Capacity | 20-80kN | Depends on soil conditions and pile type |
Installation Method
1. Layout and Positioning
Determine pile positions based on mounting system design drawings
Use total station or GPS for positioning to ensure accurate spacing
2. Pile Installation
Mount screw pile on rotary installation equipment (handheld, excavator-mounted, or drill rig)
Align vertically with pile position, screw in at steady speed to design depth
Control verticality deviation ≤1%, depth deviation ≤50mm
3. Elevation Adjustment
Exposed height determined by mounting system design
Use level for calibration to ensure consistent pile top elevation
4. Mount Connection
Connect columns via flange or direct welding
Install rails and modules
Application Scenarios
| Scenario | Recommended Pile Type | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Courtyard PV | Mini screw pile (76mm) | Fast installation, no lawn damage |
| Small-Scale Ground Power Plant | Single-blade (89-114mm) | Low cost, moderate load capacity |
| Agrivoltaics | Double-blade (114-140mm) | Strong pullout resistance, suitable for farmland |
| Fishery-Solar Hybrid Embankment | Flanged (114mm) | Installation on concrete embankments |
| PV Carport | Large diameter (140mm) | High load capacity requirements |
| Temporary / Mobile Power Plant | Removable type | Recyclable and reusable |
| Mountain / Slope | Extended length (2.5m+) | Adapts to terrain variations |
Geological Suitability
| Soil Type | Suitability | Recommended Pile Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clay | Excellent | Standard single-blade, length 1.5-2.0m |
| Sandy Soil | Excellent | Double-blade, increased contact area |
| Silty Soil | Good | Standard pile,适当 extended length |
| Soft Soil / Mud | Fair | Extended length, double-blade, larger diameter |
| Gravelly Soil | Poor | Pre-drilling required or switch to cast-in-place piles |
| Rock | Not suitable | Cannot be screwed in, use rock anchors instead |
Application Cases
Case: Residential Courtyard 3kW PV
Pile Type: Mini screw pile, diameter 76mm, length 1.2m
Installation: 2 people completed 6 piles in half a day
Result: No lawn damage, power generation started same day
Case: 10MW Agrivoltaics Project in Shandong
Pile Type: Double-blade screw pile, diameter 114mm, length 2.0m
Installation: Single rotary rig completed 150-200 piles per day
Result: Saved 20 days of construction time compared to concrete piles, land restorable for farming
Case: 50MW Sandy Land Power Plant in Inner Mongolia
Pile Type: Extended screw pile, length 2.5m, double-blade
Features: Adapted to sandy soil conditions, strong wind resistance
Result: 3 years of operation, no settlement, no tilting
Selection Recommendations
| Project Scale | Recommended Diameter | Recommended Length | Blades |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-10kW | 76mm | 1.2-1.5m | Single-blade |
| 10-100kW | 89-114mm | 1.5-2.0m | Single / Double-blade |
| 100kW-1MW | 114mm | 2.0m | Double-blade |
| 1MW and above | 114-140mm | 2.0-2.5m | Double-blade |
Quality Control Key Points
| Inspection Item | Standard | Inspection Method |
|---|---|---|
| Verticality | ≤1% | Level / Laser level |
| Pile Top Elevation | ±50mm | Level |
| Screw-in Depth | Meets design value | Depth markings |
| Anti-Corrosion Layer | No damage, no uncoated areas | Visual inspection, thickness gauge |
| Pullout Test | As per design requirements | On-site pullout test |
In a Nutshell
With its unique advantages of "no concrete, no excavation, install and use immediately," the screw pile transforms PV ground installation from "engineering-based" to "assembly-based" — faster, more environmentally friendly, and more flexible.
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