Overview
Nigeria’s terrain ranges from sandy deserts in the north to clay-heavy soils in the south and rocky plateaus in the center. A “one-size-fits-all” ground-mounting system doesn’t work across such diversity. Jeho Ashar Energy tackles this challenge with soil-specific engineering—developing mounting systems adapted to the physical and mechanical properties of the local ground.
Why Soil Type Matters in Solar Mounting
Different soil types affect:
- Anchor strength: Poor soils may not hold bolts or piles securely.
- Corrosion risk: Some soils retain water or salts, accelerating rust.
- Installation method: Rocky soil may block driven piles; soft soil may require deeper or concrete foundations.
- Long-term stability: Seasonal expansion or waterlogging can tilt or destabilize mounts.
Jeho Ashar’s Soil-Adapted Mounting Solutions
🏜️ 3.1 Sandy or Loose Soils (e.g., Northern Nigeria)
- Uses deep pile foundations or helical ground screws that can anchor securely in granular soil.
- Where wind erosion is an issue, concrete footings with wider bases are used to prevent system uplift.
🌧️ 3.2 Clay-Rich Soils (e.g., South-South Nigeria)
- Jeho Ashar applies elevated mount designs to protect against soil saturation and foundation movement.
- Leg bases are placed on precast concrete pads or slab foundations to prevent subsidence.
🪨 3.3 Rocky and Plateau Regions (e.g., Jos, Taraba)
- Utilizes ballasted systems that rest on the ground without penetrating it, especially where pile driving is not feasible.
- Alternatively, customized drill-and-bolt anchor solutions are used when shallow rock is stable enough to support load-bearing mounts.
Pre-Installation Ground Assessment
Jeho Ashar conducts:
- Site geotechnical analysis (basic soil tests or partner-supplied surveys)
- Load-bearing capacity checks for selected mounting points
- Flood or erosion risk assessment, especially in riverine areas
This ensures that the chosen ground-mount system is both safe and cost-effective.
Advantages of Jeho Ashar’s Approach
- Minimized structural failure risks from soil shifts or erosion
- Optimized labor costs (right method for the right soil = faster installs)
- Durable performance with reduced need for post-installation adjustments
- Helps meet local compliance and building codes, especially in community-funded or public projects
Real-World Example
In Sokoto (semi-arid with sandy soil), Jeho Ashar implemented spiral ground screws for a school solar project. The system remained stable through windstorms, where traditional mounts had previously failed.
