Tracker foundations eBook: Understand subsurface risk management

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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Terrasmart tracker foundations" class="wp-image-56823" height="525" src="https://solarbuildermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_4976-700x525.jpg" width="700" /></figure></div>

<p><a href="https://solarbuildermag.com/tag/utility-scale/">Utility-scale</a> solar projects are being built on a wider variety of site surfaces. This diversity in terrain means an increase in risks “lurking beneath the surface,” says the Terrasmart team in a new eBook: “<a href="https://explore.terrasmart.com/peak_performance_begins_beneath_the_surface?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=banner%2C+email&amp;utm_campaign=Subsurface+ebook&amp;utm_id=Solar+Builder+tracker+takeover">Peak Performance Begins Beneath the Surface.</a>”</p>

<p>“While the Commercial Operations Date (COD) is considered one of a utility-scale solar project’s biggest milestones, at Terrasmart we think the soil assessment phase of a project is just as important. Building a solid foundation – no matter the nuances of the subsurface – is key to reaching COD without delays, cost escalations, or setbacks. It’s also critical to preventing extensive later-stage maintenance costs and/or production loss during the project’s life span.”</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-background has-medium-font-size" id="h-download-peak-performance-begins-beneath-the-surface" style="background-color: #abb7c229;">Download <br /><a href="https://explore.terrasmart.com/peak_performance_begins_beneath_the_surface?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=banner%2C+email&amp;utm_campaign=Subsurface+ebook&amp;utm_id=Solar+Builder+tracker+takeover">Peak Performance Begins Beneath the Surface</a></h3>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size" id="h-ground-screws-piles-or-ballasts">Ground screws, piles, or ballasts?</h3>

<p>One of the first questions to ask when building a solid foundation is, “ground screws, piles, or ballasts?” And as we’ve <a href="https://solarbuildermag.com/products/how-terrasmart-uses-data-to-solve-solar-tracker-site-challenges-the-pitch/">noted many times over the years</a>, there is no set answer. The right choice depends on a host of geotechnical and environmental factors influenced by the soil and terrain of the project site.</p>

<p>&#8220;Piles, screws, and ballasts are three things that seem to do the same thing but are fundamentally different in form and function. When it comes to choosing between them, the question to ask isn’t &#8216;which is best?&#8217; It is &#8216;which is best for this particular site?'&#8221;</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size" id="h-in-this-ebook-from-terrasmart-you-ll-learn">In this eBook from Terrasmart, you&#8217;ll learn:</h3>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The importance of a comprehensive soil assessment and how it influences foundation design</li>

<li>Common subsurface challenges like refusal, frost heave, and corrosion and how to mitigate risks</li>

<li>How geotechnical reports and pull out tests give you an inside view of what&#8217;s beneath the surface</li>
</ul>

<p>You’ll find the answer by analyzing the site’s unique conditions and the project’s cost/benefit implications.<br />Download the full report for a deep dive into the topic, as well as a handy comparison sheet to better understand all of the solutions to overcome today’s tough terrain challenges.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-background has-medium-font-size" id="h-download-peak-performance-begins-beneath-the-surface" style="background-color: #abb7c229;">Download <br /><a href="https://explore.terrasmart.com/peak_performance_begins_beneath_the_surface?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=banner%2C+email&amp;utm_campaign=Subsurface+ebook&amp;utm_id=Solar+Builder+tracker+takeover">Peak Performance Begins Beneath the Surface</a></h3>
<p>-- Solar Builder magazine</p>