How Precast Blocks Can Make Securing Your Solar System Easier

Installing a solar system on your property does not always mean putting it on your roof. There are situations where the best placement is on the ground in an open area. Still, investing in some solar precast blocks to ballast the system may be necessary for these installations.

Precast Blocks

Precast blocks are made from concrete, but they are made offsite in a factory setting and then shipped to the location where they are needed. Solar precast blocks can be made in many different sizes and shapes to accommodate mounting and ballasting a solar system that you will not install on a roof. 

Some solar system providers also offer precast blocks in sizes and configurations to work with their systems. Still, the blocks are often custom-made for the site and brought in on a truck when the contractor setting up the solar array is ready for them.

Using solar precast blocks is a better solution than pouring a foundation for the solar panels. It allows the solar system to be repositioned or moved to another part of the property while not leaving a large concrete pad behind. If you are leasing the land, you may not be allowed to pour a pad there, and the precast blocks are freestanding, so they will not violate any rules that the landowner has set.

Custom Blocks

Because solar systems are so different in how they can be installed, getting the right solar precast blocks can be challenging. Ordering custom blocks that can be shaped and sized to fit your needs is often the best way to ensure the blocks you are using will be a good fit. 

The block manufacturer can make the blocks to bolt onto the framework that supports the solar panels, or they can be placed on the rails that sit on the ground to hold the panels down. The design depends on the frame you are going to use and what you need for support. Your solar contractor can determine the best solar precast blocks for your array and order them before installing the system.

Block Size

When working with solar precast blocks, you need to decide how large the blocks need to be for your system. If you are using them as ballast on the panels and frame, you need a specific amount of weight, but in some cases, achieving the weight with a larger number of smaller blocks makes the system more portable. 

When you choose one large block to do the job, you may need a crane to move the block, so selecting many small blocks that you can move by hand can often be a better choice while still getting the weight you need to keep the array in place, even during storms or high winds.

For more information on solar precast blocks, contact a supplier near you, such as Ninsa Solar, LLC.

Share