Solid experience in foundation work for solar farms

Published on February 28, 2025, in the Energy Innovations supplement.

JIITEE Työt Oy is a Finnish company specialising in rock engineering, reinforcement, quarrying as well as constructing foundations for wind farms and solar power plants.

“Our highly motivated and close-knit team can cope with anything,” says Entrepreneur Janne Juntunen.

Established in 2011, the company has completed hundreds of projects. Over the years, the company has gained experience and improved its ability to prepare for surprises.

“From an operational point of view, the Finnish soil and the varying seasonal weather conditions present a challenge,” says Site Manager Priit Idavain. Underground, the temperature is always +8 degrees – come summer or winter.

This is precisely what makes JIITEE Työt Oy’s experience and ability to quickly adapt so important in construction projects where there is typically no leeway in terms of schedules.

“That was certainly the case in 2024 when the foundation project for Solarigo’s solar farm in Simo did not go according to plan. When Solarigo called, we were able to react quickly and managed to mobilise enough capacity for their site to keep the pace of the site installation at the planned level,” says Jarno Pyyhtiä, JIITEE.

Large-volume equipment

A correctly chosen and professionally implemented fastening solution is the basis of a safe solar power plant that will go the distance. The most common drilling-based foundation methods are driven piles and screw piles. Both have their advantages and selection criteria for different soil options. When it comes to pile driving, the moraine-based Finnish soil offers stiff resistance, and it is often necessary to drill through rock.

“We have a wide range of equipment and labour resources, which enable us to carry out several projects at the same time,” says Priit Idavain.

For customers, it is a cost-effective combination as it makes it possible to carry out large volumes of work. JIITEE Työt has drilled the foundations of Finland’s thus-far largest solar farm, in terms of electricity production, in Kalanti, Uusikaupunki.

“We used five drill rigs in Kalanti to drill 115,000 pre-holes for the driven piles of the panel racks. Later on, racks with metal frames for attaching the panels will be installed on top of the piles,” says Janne Juntunen.

JITEE’s versatile and comprehensive equipment enables the foundations for solar power plants to be built in all situations and in different soils. The Atlas Copco D65 is a powerful drill rig for drilling preholes up to 229 mm in diameter. It is one example of the comprehensive equipment used by JIITEE Työt Oy on its sites.

For more information: 
Janne Juntunen
janne.juntunen@jiiteetyot.fi
+358 44 320 8505