Solar Farm Projects Geotechnical Engineering Services

Year: 2025

Location: Hawai’i

Features:

  • 216-acre site

  • Driven pile foundations for single-axis tracker solar arrays 

  • Geotechnical report prepared in collaboration 

  • Exploration depths up to 25 feet below surface 

  • Combination of field and laboratory testing 

Project Summary

Central Engineering Services provided geotechnical support for the development of solar energy farms in Hawai’i. The sites consisted of agricultural land in rural use or fallow conditions. Work included field explorations, laboratory testing, and on-site pile load testing to assist with foundation design. CES collaborated to prepare comprehensive geotechnical reports. The project areas were evaluated to support driven pile foundations for single-axis tracker solar panels. 

Scope of Work

The scope of work included site access coordination, field explorations, laboratory testing, and collaboration in reporting. CES performed geotechnical characterization of the sites, which included field resistivity testing, infiltration testing, and on-site pile load testing. Subsurface conditions were explored through drilling of 23 geotechnical borings and excavation of 15 test pits. Borings were drilled to depths of 5 to 25 feet, and test pits were excavated to depths of 2 to 9.5 feet, with shallow refusal on rock noted in some locations. 

Mud rotary and rock coring methods were used to complete the borings. Explorations were continuously monitored by qualified CES staff, who logged subsurface conditions, visually classified soils, and collected representative soil samples. Samples were collected using a standard split spoon sampler and SPT N-values were recorded in accordance with ASTM D1556. Laboratory testing included analysis of swell potential in upper site soils. 

Key Activities 

  • Drilling and documentation of 23 geotechnical borings 

  • Excavation and observation of 15 test pits 

  • Field resistivity and infiltration testing 

  • On-site pile load testing of driven foundation types 

  • Laboratory analysis of soil samples, including swell potential characterization 

  • Collaboration with project team on reporting and design recommendations 

Results 

Subsurface and laboratory data supported foundation design for the solar panel systems. Geotechnical findings were documented in project reports to be used by the design team.