CLIENT: Solvest Northern Star Solutions
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
This project involved the civil and foundation engineering for a utility-scale solar installation situated in a permafrost environment — one of the more demanding settings for renewable energy infrastructure. The scope encompassed the full design lifecycle for both the Solar Array and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), from early-stage grading and geotechnical integration through to Issued for Construction (IFC) packages. Foundation solutions included adfreeze and bedrock micropile systems engineered to support solar racking and electrical auxiliary structures in ground conditions where conventional approaches are neither appropriate nor reliable.
CHALLENGE:
Designing solar foundations in permafrost presented a genuinely novel engineering challenge. Unlike temperate-climate installations where soil bearing and frost depth are manageable variables, permafrost demands a fundamentally different design philosophy — one that accounts for the thermal sensitivity of the ground, the risk of thaw settlement, and the long-term implications of a warming climate. Loading demands were rigorous, driven by wind, snow, and seismic considerations specific to the northern environment. Equally important was ensuring that foundation solutions remained viable not just at time of construction, but across the operational life of the facility as climate conditions continue to evolve. The project required the team to adapt established micropile methodology to an environment where adfreeze capacity and bedrock engagement are the primary mechanisms of structural resistance.
APPROACH:
The design process was grounded in available site data from the outset, with previously completed survey information integrated into the grading plan and geotechnical investigation findings directly informing foundation selection and sizing. The team advanced the design through progressive submissions at the 30%, 60%, and 90% stages, allowing for stakeholder review and iterative refinement before issuing final IFC packages for both the Solar Array and BESS components. To move beyond analytical assumptions and validate real-world performance, production pile load testing was carried out on-site — confirming that the adfreeze and bedrock micropile foundations performed in accordance with design intent under actual site conditions.
OUTCOME:
The project delivered fully engineered, construction-ready foundation and civil packages for a solar facility operating in one of the most thermally complex ground environments in the country. Load testing provided definitive confirmation of foundation performance, giving confidence to both the construction team and project owner. A final conformance review and sign-off following installation of all foundation and civil components closed the loop on design intent and field execution. The work stands as a demonstration that rigorous, climate-aware geotechnical engineering can enable solar development in northern permafrost settings — expanding the viable geography for renewable energy infrastructure.