Civil engineering
Site investigation, levels, existing services and the civil design for the canopy, so there are fewer surprises once excavation starts.
Carport civils and groundworks,
the part you don’t see.
Before a canopy goes up, the car park has to be ready for it. We carry out the civil engineering, foundations, groundworks, drainage and ducting that turn a car park into a buildable platform, then reinstate the surface.
- FoundationsFor the ground on site
- GroundworksExcavation and trenching
- DrainageCanopy and surface
- DuctingDC, AC, data and EV
Site investigationLevels and existing services
FoundationsDesigned for the ground
DrainageRainwater managed
DuctingCable routes in place
01. Civils & groundworks
A canopy is only as good
A canopy is only as good
as what it stands on.
Civil engineering is where a solar carport project meets the reality of the site. It covers site investigation, levels and existing services – drainage runs, cables and other buried utilities – and the civil design that turns a working car park into a buildable platform for the canopy.
Foundations are designed and constructed for the ground conditions found on site, not assumed from a drawing. Groundworks cover excavation, trenching, service routes and reinstating the surface once the structure is up, so the car park is left fit for use.
In the same works we install the drainage that manages rainwater from the canopy and the ducting that carries DC, AC, data and EV charging cables. Planning cable routes now avoids breaking out the surface again when you add charge points or storage later.
02. What’s included
Six elements,
Six elements,
one civils package.
Foundations
Designed and constructed for the ground conditions found on site, to carry the canopy and the solar panels above.
Groundworks
Excavation, trenching, service routes and surface reinstatement once the structure is in place.
Drainage
Rainwater from the canopy managed rather than left to pool on the bays or run off across the car park.
Ducting
Routes for DC, AC, data and EV charging cables, installed during the groundworks and ready for future use.
Phased working
Depending on layout and scope, works can be phased by zone so the rest of the car park stays in use.
03. Where civils fits
From design
From design
to a ready site.
Step 01
Design
Structural, civil and electrical design for the site.
Before civilsStep 02
Investigation & levels
Site investigation, levels and existing services confirmed.
CivilsStep 03
Foundations & groundworks
Foundations, excavation, trenching, drainage and ducting.
CivilsStep 04
Steel installation
The canopy structure installed on the completed foundations.
Next stage
04. Solar carport stages
The rest of
The rest of
the programme.
05. Free feasibility study
Start with a free
Start with a free
feasibility study.
Send us your site plan, bay count and electricity bills, and we’ll look at what the site needs.
- Estimated system size
- Estimated bill savings
- Carbon reduction estimate
- Indicative payback
06. Civils FAQs
Civils and groundworks
Still have a question?0330 043 1047 Civils and groundworks
questions answered.
Can we keep using the car park during the works?
Depending on the layout and scope, the works can be phased. We agree this with you at the planning and coordination stage.
What happens to the surface afterwards?
The surface is reinstated as part of the groundworks once the structure is up.
Do you install ducting for future EV chargers?
Yes. Ducting for DC, AC, data and EV charging cables is installed as part of the groundworks, so future charge points can be added without breaking out the surface again.
Who designs the foundations?
Foundations are designed for the ground conditions found on site, as part of the structural design.
How do you deal with buried services?
Existing services are identified during site investigation, before excavation starts. The canopy, foundations and cable routes are then laid out around them, or diversions are planned into the programme where they cannot be avoided.
What happens to rainwater from the canopy?
A canopy collects rain over a large area, so drainage for the canopy and the surrounding surface is designed and installed as part of the civils package rather than left to pool on the bays.
How do you keep the site safe while work is under way?
Working areas are separated from the parts of the car park still in use, and the phasing of the works is agreed with you around how your site operates.
Build on
solid ground.
Civils, foundations, drainage and ducting, delivered by the same contractor that designs and installs your solar carport.