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Everyone’s talking about the UK’s clean energy future. By 2035, the government wants 95% of electricity to be low-carbon. Solar, wind, EVs, battery storage, all surging in popularity.
And that’s great.
But here’s what no one’s shouting about enough: Without the right infrastructure underneath, none of it works.
- You can’t bolt solar panels onto soft ground and expect longevity.
- You can’t install EV chargers without robust trenching, drainage, and surface reinforcement.
- You can’t drop a wind turbine on a yard not built for load-bearing.
Groundwork isn’t a box-tick, it’s a make-or-break for this type of infrastructure.
So in this edition of “From The Ground Up”, we dig into what operations teams, facilities managers, and project leads really need to know when preparing for renewable energy installations.
Why now: The green shift is accelerating
Here’s what the latest numbers tell us:
- The UK added over 4.5GW of renewable energy capacity in 2024 alone, a 28% year-on-year increase
- Over £50 billion in new renewable infrastructure is expected to be deployed by 2030
- Demand for commercial solar and EV charging infrastructure in the UK has doubled since 2022
- More than 70% of businesses are exploring some form of on-site renewable installation within the next 3 years
But as the energy tech evolves, the pressure is shifting downstream, to the people managing the ground it’s built on.
What’s often missed: The hidden risks in site preparation
When businesses rush into green upgrades without proper planning, issues pile up fast:
- Uneven or poorly compacted ground leads to structural shifting of solar racking systems
- Inadequate drainage around battery containers or substations increases corrosion and fire risk
- Weak sub-bases under EV chargers cause cracking and movement under load
- Limited access or poor phasing turns simple installs into prolonged disruptions
The result? Delays. Unplanned costs. And worse, infrastructure that doesn’t last.
The groundwork checklist: 5 essentials for renewable installations
If you’re planning to bring renewables to your site — here’s what to get right from the ground up.
1. Soil and ground condition assessment
Don’t assume what’s underfoot is fit for purpose. Before laying cable ducts or installing mounting structures, test the soil load-bearing capacity and drainage rates.
Why it matters: Solar racking systems and battery containers need solid, stable ground. Skimp on this and you risk sinkage or structural shifts in year one.
2. Drainage and water flow planning
Many renewable systems are surface-mounted or containerised, and that means they’re vulnerable to pooling, overflow, and runoff.
Why it matters: Battery and electrical installations exposed to standing water are not just a performance risk — they’re a fire hazard. Proper drainage is essential.
3. Reinforced surfacing for access and maintenance
You’ll need vehicle access not just for installation, but for long-term maintenance. And depending on the weight of cranes, service trucks or cabling equipment, your existing surfaces may not cut it.
Why it matters: We’ve seen too many installations delayed by soft yards or damaged concrete. Reinforced concrete slabs or hybrid surfacing might be needed.
4. Future-proofing for scalability
You might be starting with 10 chargers or one container. But what happens when you need more?
Why it matters: Groundworks should be designed with expansion in mind, leaving cable runs, utility space and phasing flexibility for future upgrades.
5. Planning compliance and DNO coordination
Groundworks often trigger local planning reviews, especially when substations, trenches, or flood zones are involved. Early liaison with local authorities and DNOs (Distribution Network Operators) saves weeks of back-and-forth.
Why it matters: Even simple projects can hit long delays when overlooked ground prep bumps against red tape. Involve the right people, early.
Real examples – What smart groundwork looks like
Yorkshire manufacturing site
A local factory wanted to install 200kW of rooftop solar and EV charging points. But the car park had 20-year-old tarmac with poor drainage.Solution: We installed permeable reinforced surfacing with integrated ducting. Future-ready and regulation-compliant, without disrupting operations.
North West logistics depot
Battery storage containers were being craned in, but the sub-base was never designed to support heavy static loads. Solution: Engineered reinforced slabs and bespoke drainage channels were added to future-proof the site and avoid rework.
Midlands food facility
They rushed a solar installation, only to find out it blocked essential tanker access during deliveries. Lesson: Groundworks and phasing need to align with operational flow. Otherwise, green gains create grey headaches.
Ben’s take
We love that more businesses are going green. It’s long overdue. But we’ve also seen the stress when renewable installs go wrong, and nine times out of ten, it starts with the ground.
At PKB Civils, we treat renewable upgrades like we do any major infrastructure project:
- Plan early. Get the right people involved. And never assume the ground is “good enough.”
- Your solar panels are only as good as what they’re mounted on.
- Your EV chargers only work if the surface they’re built into doesn’t crack in six months.
- And battery storage? It needs more than just a concrete pad, it needs foresight.
The good news? All of this is fixable before it becomes a problem.
If you’re planning to bring renewables onto your site this year, get in touch. We’ll make sure your infrastructure is ready to deliver, not just today, but for the next 10 years.
Key takeaways: What to do next
✅ Start with a ground condition and load assessment
✅ Plan drainage early, especially for surface or container installs
✅ Reinforce surfaces where cranes or heavy plant will operate
✅ Build in capacity for expansion, not just current need
✅ Engage your DNO and local planners upfront
Looking ahead: building in readiness, even if you’re not installing yet
Not every business is ready to install renewables today — and that’s OK.
But here’s the smart move… futureproof the site now, while other works are already underway.
We’ve recently completed a project that shows how to do this right.
Rather than simply replace what was already there, we reengineered the entire layout to support future energy infrastructure.
✅ Full drainage upgrades to protect future assets
✅ Reinforced concrete slabs to carry battery containers or EV infrastructure
✅ Integrated ducting and planning zones for later-phase installs
The result? The site is now “renewable-ready” — and when they do decide to install solar or battery units, they won’t face another shutdown or disruptive groundworks.
This is the mindset we’re encouraging. Think one step ahead. Use today’s works to remove tomorrow’s roadblocks.
