Soil and Thermal Resistivity Survey in San Manuel, Pangasinan

Client: Power China Corp.

Location: San Manuel, Pangasinan

Without addressing unstable soil conditions and thermal risks, the Pangasinan Solar Project faced major threats to its foundation integrity and long-term operational reliability.

In San Manuel, Pangasinan — a municipality with a population of over 54,000 people and 11,622 houses — a major renewable energy initiative was underway. Our client’s goal was to develop the Pangasinan Solar Project, expected to generate 94 GWh of clean energy annually — enough to power an estimated 55,000 homes and prevent around 58,369 metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year. The project also promised significant economic benefits, including the creation of approximately 1,000 jobs during its construction phase. Source: Pangasinan Solar Project

Geographic Location: San Manuel, Pangasinan Source: Google Maps

However, the site conditions posed critical challenges that could jeopardize these ambitious goals. The area is characterized by very soft soils and a high water table, significantly complicating foundation design and cable installation. If not properly addressed, these ground conditions could lead to structural instability, foundation failures, and thermal management issues for buried electrical systems — putting the entire project timeline, budget, and energy output targets at risk.

Comprehensive soil and thermal resistivity surveys became absolutely critical. Soil testing is essential to determine the load-bearing capacity and stability of the ground. Solar farm foundations, particularly shallow driven piles, must withstand lateral and vertical forces from wind while adapting to ground movement.

Geotechnical investigations, including soil borings and field tests, help engineers design suitable foundation systems by analyzing soil cohesion, density, stratification, and groundwater conditions. Source: Solar farm foundations

Beyond structural concerns, thermal resistivity testing is crucial for electrical safety and efficiency. This testing measures the soil’s ability to dissipate heat from buried cables, preventing overheating that could cause operational failures or reduce transmission efficiency. Source: Solarpowerworldonline

Thermal surveys also support design optimization. By simulating real-world conditions (e.g., compacting soil samples in lab settings), engineers ensure that cable conduit systems meet heat dissipation requirements even under varying moisture levels — an important factor in areas like San Manuel with a high water table.

Groundsolv Employee performing a Soil and Thermal resistivity in San Manuel Pangasinan.

Our team led by Engr. Kristian with a decade of experience on the field and technical specialization went to the location. Equipped with advanced soil and thermal resistivity technology, we navigated the challenging terrain of San Manuel. Our mission was clear: to gather accurate data that could inform the design of solar foundations in this difficult environment. Despite the challenges posed by the region's soft soils and high-water table, our determination remained unwavering.

Groundsolv Employees setting up the equipment to perform a Soil and Thermal resistivity in San Manuel Pangasinan.

Through further surveys and assessments, we demonstrated that our equipment is highly capable of conducting surveys in difficult soil conditions. We successfully gathered the necessary data to support the solar foundation design, providing much-needed insights for the project.

Groundsolv Employees checking up the equipment to perform a Soil and Thermal resistivity in San Manuel Pangasinan

Key Insights

• Very Soft Soils: The soft soils in San Manuel presented a significant challenge, but our advanced technology allowed us to gather accurate data.

• Data Scarcity: The lack of extensive previous studies meant we were exploring largely uncharted territory.

• Survey Challenges: The high water table added another layer of complexity to our mission.

• Difficult Terrain: The rugged terrain of San Manuel required careful navigation and added to the complexity of the survey.

• Possible Flooding: The potential for flooding in the area posed additional risks and required thorough planning and mitigation strategies.

• Innovative Solutions: One of the most valuable lessons from this project was the effectiveness of our advanced equipment in overcoming the challenges posed by the difficult soil conditions.

Our journey in San Manuel is just the beginning. As we continue to explore and innovate, we invite you to follow our progress and share your thoughts. How can we further refine our methods? What other regions could benefit from similar surveys? Let's collaborate to ensure a sustainable future for solar energy projects. If you need any further modifications or additional information, feel free to let me know!