Case study: Navigating bedrock & 180-mph winds with Bahamas Solar & Renewables

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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Freeport Terrasmart case study" class="wp-image-56835" height="525" src="https://solarbuildermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Freeport-Upscale-001-700x525.jpg" width="700" /></figure></div>

<p>Freeport Oil Company Limited (FOCOL), a leading energy provider in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, expanded into renewables through its subsidiary Bahamas Solar &amp; Renewables (BSR). With a mission of “Fueling Growth for People,” BSR aimed to empower its communities through clean energy. Taking an unconventional path, the company bypassed a traditional EPC and instead hired local contractors for civil and electrical work to keep economic benefits within the community.</p>

<p>Building solar on an island, however, comes with unique challenges. High winds, complex subsurface conditions, and difficult logistics amplify risk. For <a href="https://www.terrasmart.com/projects/freeport/
?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=banner%2C+email&amp;utm_campaign=Freeport+Bahamas&amp;utm_id=Solar+Builder+tracker+takeover">its first solar project in Freeport</a>, BSR needed a trusted solar partner with proven expertise in extreme environments.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size" id="h-overcoming-tough-conditions">Overcoming Tough Conditions</h3>

<p>Early on, BSR’s team discovered the <a href="https://www.terrasmart.com/projects/freeport/
?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=banner%2C+email&amp;utm_campaign=Freeport+Bahamas&amp;utm_id=Solar+Builder+tracker+takeover">project’s tough soils and wind exposure</a> required specialized engineering. Terrasmart, known for tackling challenging terrains, was selected to deliver a foundation and racking solution that could withstand the site’s demands.</p>

<p><strong>Soil complexity: </strong>Geotechnical analysis showed 100% refusal with a mix of bedrock, limestone, and silty sand, all conditions that could threaten reliability if not properly addressed. Terrasmart’s engineers recommended pull-out testing to determine the optimal foundation type and ensure stability.</p>

<p><strong>Wind risk:</strong> After the devastation of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, The Bahamas mandated that new solar sites withstand up to 180-mph winds. Terrasmart performed a tilt angle study to calculate module pressure and determine the safest design that minimized stress on the panels.</p>

<p><strong>Logistics:</strong> Shipping to an island meant all materials needed to fit efficiently into 40-foot containers. Terrasmart’s logistics team, experienced in island projects, ensured timely and accurate delivery of equipment.</p>

<p>With over 50 projects across coastal and high-wind regions, Terrasmart applied deep field expertise to execute a durable, precise solution tailored to Freeport’s site conditions.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size" id="h-foundation-and-racking-solution">Foundation and Racking Solution</h3>

<p>Given the site’s 100% refusal rate, ground screws were the natural choice for foundation stability. Terrasmart’s pull-out tests, two per test point, measuring both tensile and lateral force, validated the use of 56-inch Terrasmart 1425 ground screws. These tests confirmed anchorage strength and informed the engineering adjustments required to optimize performance.</p>

<p>For high-wind resilience, Terrasmart’s engineers selected a 13-degree tilt angle, reducing uplift and preventing overstress on modules. A smaller 2h x 8w table layout was adopted for added rigidity, while BSR chose modules rated for higher uplift loads.</p>

<p>Terrasmart’s in-house installation team handled both racking and foundation work, a service that proved crucial to maintaining speed and quality. The final system included <a href="https://solarbuildermag.com/news/terrasmart-debuts-a-ground-screw-based-bifacial-solar-module-racking-solution/">Terrasmart’s GLIDE Agile</a> fixed-tilt racking on 3,936 ground screws, supporting 15,744 modules across the 6.77-MW site.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size" id="h-delivering-reliable-results">Delivering Reliable Results</h3>

<p>Terrasmart completed the foundation and racking installation within one month in a major achievement for an island project. The success at Freeport stemmed from three key strengths</p>

<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-background has-medium-font-size" id="h-read-the-results-of-the-case-study-right-here" style="background-color: #abb7c226;"><a href="https://www.terrasmart.com/projects/freeport/
?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=banner%2C+email&amp;utm_campaign=Freeport+Bahamas&amp;utm_id=Solar+Builder+tracker+takeover">Read the results of the case study right here</a></h4>

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<p>-- Solar Builder magazine</p>