Metal Foundations Is The Answer To The Solar Industries Quest For A Better Foundation Alternative

SAN FRANCISCO and AMBRIDGE, Pa., July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States PV market has grown at an average annual rate of 69% over the past ten years. The market is forecasted to triple in size by 2015, with the ground-mount installations securing the largest market share of 42%. With numbers like these, it's easy to see why organizations are searching for a strong and reliable foundation alternative that costs less, and installs faster.

Strong and Reliable

Metal Foundations' (MFI) patented steel foundations are an innovative foundation alternative to support ground-mounted solar technologies. Made of steel, with no concrete required to install, MFI's steel foundations are strong, durable, reliable, and cost effective. With more than 200,000 foundations successfully installed since 1993 – many supporting ground-mounted solar systems – Metal Foundations is clearly positioned as the unparalleled alternative for the solar industry.

Less Expensive and Faster

MFI's steel foundations are installed in a fraction of the time it takes to install concrete foundations. The unique designs and installation methods require virtually no digging and minimal equipment, allowing the foundations to be quickly and easily installed in various soil conditions and in any weather.

Steel foundations are pre-engineered and delivered to the job site ready to install using a patented or proprietary installation process that combines hydraulic systems, and various types of equipment, to ensure that the foundations are installed quickly and efficiently with minimal disturbance to the surrounding area.

Custom-Designed and Precisely Engineered

Metal Foundations' patented designs offer solar developers and installers the unique advantage of greater control against forces such as; torsion, overturning, shear, deflection and rotation. The design process considers many factors including; soil conditions, structure and load to custom design a foundation to precisely meet the needs of each unique project – ensuring clients a reliable and sturdy foundation built to their exact specifications.

In the LEED

MFI's foundations are made of solid steel, a "green" building material that is 100% recyclable and – when fabricated from American-made steel – exceeds the USGBC's requirements for multiple points in the LEED Materials and Resources Recycled Content and Regional Materials credits. In addition, Metal Foundations has built relationships with steel fabrication companies nationwide – so depending on the site location, MFI's steel foundations could assist in achieving additional LEED points based on the manufacturer's proximity to the location.

Metal Foundations – A Better Foundation Alternative

It's easy to see why MFI's steel foundations are the best foundation alternative for the solar industry. MFI's patented steel foundation designs offer improved lateral and torsional deformation performance when compared to conventional pipe piles or concrete piles. Installing in less than half the time it takes to install standard concrete foundations, MFI answers the solar industries call for a faster and less expensive option.