Renewable energy · Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics
Raised panels, land that can still be farmed, foundations that disappear when the concession ends.
T-Block® ground screws are the natural foundation for agrivoltaics: no concrete slab, no disturbance of the farmland, full removal at the end of the system's life.
Agrivoltaic use cases
Typical configurations T-Block has already worked on or been sized for.
Crops under the panels
Cereals, fodder, vineyards, vegetables, medicinal herbs, under raised structures. Correctly positioned along the row, the ground screw does not interfere with the roots. The partial shade under the panels can even benefit some crops in hot regions or where they are too exposed to the sun.
Grazing and livestock
Sheep, goats, poultry under the panels. Raised structures and single anchor points that do not get in the way of grazing. Removability means the area can be cleared if its use changes, leaving no trace.
Single-axis trackers on arable land
More complex systems with rotating panels to optimise yield. Higher horizontal loads because of the mechanical lever arm: longer T-Block classes to resist overturning.
Pilot plants and demonstrators
Removability is especially valuable for experimental plants: when the project ends the screws are removed, the material investment is recovered and the land is available again.
The station model
A raised table and farming carries on underneath
Geometry decides whether a system is compatible with farming: clear height under the table, spacing between the posts, room for farm machinery to pass. Below ground, each post goes down to its anchoring depth, with no footings and no slab.
What stays in the ground
Under an agrivoltaic system on ground screws there is no concrete: there is a screwed-in steel tube, and at the surface a flange flush with the soil. That is what makes the works truly removable when the concession ends, rather than removable only through demolition.
At end of life it is unscrewed, taken away, and the land goes back to its use: no buried blocks to break up, no rubble to dispose of, no agronomic restoration to negotiate.
Why agrivoltaics needs ground screws
Four reasons why screw foundations are the technical choice made for this sector.
Removable when the concession ends
On leased farmland, removability is almost always a contractual requirement. T-Block screws are unscrewed and taken away, leaving no trace: no demolition, and the ground anchors can be reused on another site.
No loss of farmland
No concrete slabs, no excavation, no post-driver vibration. The screw advances by displacing the soil, without altering the agronomic soil profile. The land between the rows can still be farmed or grazed.
In line with the Italian MASE decree criteria
The Italian agrivoltaics decree rewards systems that keep farming going and minimise the impact on the soil: non-invasive, removable screw foundations point in that direction.
Tall structures, spacing that suits farm machinery
Agrivoltaics needs raised structures (typically 2-5 m clear height) and wide rows so that farm machinery can pass. T-Block supplies the T5-T10 series in lengths that give tall structures stable support.
Recommended T-Block classes for agrivoltaics
An overview of the most requested families. Detailed sizing depends on the soil parameters and on the loads of the structure.
For fixed or single-axis panels over cultivated land. Round flange (T5) or hex head (T5 and T6) to fix the structure. Lengths between 90 cm and 1.26 m depending on the bearing capacity of the soil.
Lengths up to 3 m to keep structures raised 3-5 m stable. Suited to single-axis trackers and elevated agrivoltaic systems.
Stainless steel version of the range. Recommended for ground with a high water table, near watercourses, or for systems with very long service horizons where hot-dip galvanizing is not enough.
Lengths are nominal, with a tolerance of ±1 cm.
Ground screws vs driven posts vs concrete
A qualitative comparison from the agrivoltaic point of view. Real figures depend on the specific project: use the configurator for an estimate on your case.
| Criterion | T-Block ground screws | Driven posts | Concrete footing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farming/grazing under the panels | very good | fair | poor (slabs take up surface) |
| Disturbance of farmland during installation | minimal (only the screw displaces soil) | moderate (vibration, compaction) | high (excavation, formwork, concrete mixing) |
| Invasiveness for the same performance (steel per m² and plant needed) | minimal: combining compact ground anchors, which can even be installed with an electric power driver, gives the performance of a large driven post | large posts: special post-driving rigs needed | extensive excavation and pours, heavy plant in the field |
| Removable when the concession ends | yes (unscrewed, leaves no trace) | partly (extraction causes damage) | no (demolition + soil restoration) |
| Reuse on another site at end of life | yes | limited | no |
| Embodied CO₂ per anchor | low | medium | high |
Frequently asked questions
What foundations are used for an agrivoltaic system?
Why does removability matter on leased land?
Are ground screws consistent with the criteria of the agrivoltaics decree?
Do ground screws disturb agricultural soil?
When is stainless steel needed?
More answers on service life, soils and permits in the FAQ.
Designing an agrivoltaic system?
Send us the type of structure, panel height, soil and length of the concession: we reply with the right T-Block class and a clear quote.