Case Study

Birmingham Airport-6.9MW

A 6.9MW ground-mount solar installation using HTR’s 4-in-Landscape system, engineered for variable ground slopes alongside Birmingham Airport’s live runway.

Location
Birmingham Airport
Project Size
6.9MW
Frame Specification for Birmingham Airport-6.9MW
Frame SpecificationDescription
Panel Configuration4 in Landscape
Tilt Angle23°
Mounting SystemHTR System 4.1
Foundation TypeDriven Pile
Site/Ground ConditionSeparation bund with slopes of approximately 15°–20° in two directions
Warranty25 years standard; extended warranty subject to material selection, testing & T&Cs
Design StandardsBS EN 1990, BS EN 1991 & BS EN 1993, including BS EN 1993-1-3 and BS EN 1993-1-8, with UK NAs where applicable
Manufacturing StandardsBS EN 1090-1:2009+A1:2011
Overview

About This System

At Birmingham Airport – Alpha Bund 7, our team delivered the design, manufacture and installation of the ground-mounted solar mounting system for this 6.9MW solar project. We worked with Evo Energy Limited, with Birmingham Airport Limited as the end customer, using our HTR System 4.1 – 4 in landscape mounting system with driven pile foundations.

The site presented a number of engineering and installation challenges. We installed 578 solar tables across more than 220 rows on both sides of a separation bund extending approximately 1.2 miles in each direction. Our mounting system had to work with the changing ground profile, where slopes varied between approximately 15° and 20° in two directions. 

Our team designed the structure to suit these variable slopes while maintaining a consistent 23° solar table angle, helping the project meet the required aircraft glint and glare considerations.

Working alongside a live runway and taxiway added further complexity, with the project delivered under applicable Civil Aviation Authority requirements and conditions. Close coordination between our team, our customer, Birmingham Airport and the CAA was important throughout the project. 

The project demonstrates how we can adapt our solar mounting systems, structural engineering and installation approach to suit challenging site conditions while keeping the system practical to manufacture, install and deliver.

The Site

Key Engineering Challenges

  • Complex sloping ground – The solar mounting system had to accommodate bund slopes varying between approximately 15° and 20° in two different directions. 

  • Maintaining the required table angle – Despite the changing ground profile, we needed to maintain a consistent 23° solar table angle to address aircraft glint and glare requirements. 

  • Long and challenging installation area – Our team installed 578 tables across more than 220 rows, positioned on both sides of a separation bund extending approximately 1.2 miles in each direction. 

  • Working alongside an operational airport – The project was delivered next to a live runway and taxiway, requiring us to work within applicable CAA requirements and conditions. 

  • Challenging site conditions during installation – Weather conditions added further difficulty, particularly when our installation team was working on the inclined sections of the bund.

Project Type

Ground Mounting

Enquire About This System

Specifications are tailored to each site. Send us your layout and ground conditions and we'll confirm the arrangement for your project.

Have a Project Like This?

Share your site details and we'll design a mounting solution around them.

Get a Quote