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Building Solar in Northern Climates: Unique Considerations and Best Practices

Building Solar in Northern Climates: Unique Considerations and Best Practices

By March 13, 2025Blog

Building Solar in Northern Climates: Unique Considerations and Best Practices

As solar energy continues to gain traction in diverse environments, the demand for reliable solutions in northern climates has surged. In a recent webinar, Polar Racking and PRI Engineering shed light on the critical considerations for building solar projects in cold and harsh conditions. From foundation design to environmental challenges, this session provided a wealth of insights for developers, engineers, and stakeholders.

Understanding the Challenges of Solar in Northern Climates

Northern regions present a range of environmental and geological challenges that require specialized engineering solutions. These include:
  • Extreme cold temperatures affecting material durability and installation.
  • Heavy snow loads that can cause structural failures if not accounted for in racking design.
  • Frost heave and ground movement, which can shift foundations and disrupt operations.
  • High wind speeds, particularly in coastal and open landscapes.
  • Remote locations, often increasing logistical and maintenance difficulties.

The Role of Advanced Racking Solutions

One of the key takeaways from the webinar was the role of customized racking solutions in ensuring longevity and efficiency in these climates. Polar Racking, a company with over 15 years of experience, has installed more than 4 GW of solar projects across North America and the Caribbean, demonstrating its ability to engineer solutions tailored for extreme conditions.

Types of Racking Systems for Cold Climates

  1. Fixed Tilt Systems: Ideal for locations with heavy snow loads as they provide a stable and robust framework that minimizes operational complexities.
  2. Single-Axis Trackers: While traditionally more common in warmer climates, modern designs now allow trackers to function efficiently in northern environments, thanks to advanced snow-shedding capabilities.
  3. Ballasted Solutions: In areas with permafrost or unstable ground conditions, ballasted systems can offer a reliable, non-intrusive foundation alternative.
  4. Agrivoltaic Systems: Growing in popularity, these solutions integrate solar installations with agricultural activities, making them viable for northern rural areas.

Geotechnical Considerations for Solar Projects

PRI Engineering emphasized the importance of site-specific geotechnical analysis to determine the best foundation solutions. Key factors include:
  • Frost susceptibility analysis to predict ground movement.
  • Soil type and bedrock presence, which influence pile embedment depth.
  • Foundation optimization, ensuring cost-effective and structurally sound designs.

Foundation Solutions for Cold Climates

  1. Helical Piles – Common in Western Canada, ideal for challenging soil conditions.
  2. Driven Piles – Prevalent in Eastern Canada where glacial till and sedimentary bedrock exist.
  3. Ground Screws – Used in the U.S. Northeast, effective in rocky terrains.
  4. Micropiles – A solution for low soil capacity areas, though more costly due to concrete requirements.
  5. Adfreeze Foundations – Used in permafrost regions, relying on frozen soil adhesion for stability.

Mitigating Frost Heave Risks

A significant issue in northern climates is frost heave, where expanding frozen soil can uplift foundations, leading to misalignment or structural failures. Strategies to combat this include:
  • Using frost sleeves to reduce soil adhesion.
  • Designing deeper embedment depths for foundations.
  • Selecting site-specific materials that minimize frost-related movement.

Wind, Snow, and Load Considerations

Understanding the environmental load factors is crucial to ensuring solar installations withstand extreme weather conditions. Polar Racking’s systems are designed to endure:
  • Wind speeds over 150 mph, based on wind tunnel studies.
  • Snow loads of up to 100 PSF, with optimized leading-edge clearances for snow shedding.
  • Flexible drive shaft technology for trackers, allowing them to adjust to ground shifts.

Operational and Maintenance (O&M) Strategies

Proper maintenance is critical for solar installations in northern climates. Polar Racking’s innovations help reduce O&M efforts by offering:
  • Pre-assembled components, cutting down on installation time and labor costs.
  • No-grease drive systems, eliminating routine lubrication needs.
  • Advanced monitoring systems, ensuring performance remains optimal even in extreme conditions.

Case Study: Hurricane Fiona’s Impact on Solar Farms in Eastern Canada

One of the most compelling takeaways from the webinar was the real-world resilience of well-designed solar systems. When Hurricane Fiona struck the east coast of North America in 2022, many solar farms suffered significant damage—except for those built using Polar Racking’s designs. Their foundations and racking systems withstood the 177 km/h winds, showcasing the importance of meticulous engineering and pre-production testing.

Future Outlook for Northern Solar Development

As demand for renewable energy increases, developers are turning to more resilient, cost-effective solutions tailored for extreme environments. Companies like Polar Racking and PRI Engineering are at the forefront, developing racking and foundation systems that ensure the success of solar projects in cold climates.

Key Takeaways for Developers and Engineers

  • Perform detailed geotechnical assessments before finalizing solar farm designs.
  • Select the appropriate foundation type based on soil conditions and frost susceptibility.
  • Factor in wind, snow, and frost loads when choosing racking solutions.
  • Optimize for O&M efficiency, leveraging innovations like pre-assembled trackers and monitoring systems.
  • Design with resilience in mind, ensuring that projects can withstand extreme climate events like hurricanes and heavy snowfalls.

Conclusion

Building solar in northern climates presents unique challenges, but with the right engineering expertise and technology, it is both viable and highly profitable. By leveraging advanced racking systems, strategic foundation choices, and robust environmental analysis, developers can maximize efficiency while ensuring long-term durability.

For more information or to explore tailored solar solutions, contact Polar Racking and PRI Engineering.