Spirafix

When Custom Solar required a reliable foundation for the UK's largest solar parking canopy project at Portsmouth's Lakeside North Harbour, they turned to Spirafix to deliver the anchoring solution.

The project is now complete, with 8,545 solar panels generating clean energy across the business park, owned by Portsmouth City Council. 1,820 roof-mounted solar PV panels have been installed, alongside 7,105 solar PV panels installed above existing car parking spaces, creating solar canopies. Electric vehicle (EV) charging points have also been installed, with infrastructure in place to accommodate additional charging points as demand increases.

The Scale of the Project
The Lakeside installation comprises rooftop solar PB arrays on four buildings and newly constructed solar car park canopies in three car parking areas, equipped with accompanying battery storage. The solar arrays will generate approximately 4,000MWh per year, enough to power over 1,300 average three-bedroom homes and meet around 40% of the site's electricity needs.

For a project of this size, the anchoring system had to be right. The solar canopies must withstand all weather conditions while supporting the weight of thousands of panels. Spirafix anchors provided the foundation that makes this possible.

Why Ground Anchoring Matters
Solar carports introduce distinct engineering challenges. Unlike roof-mounted systems, they are fully exposed to wind from all directions, requiring a highly robust anchoring solution that ensures a stable and secure foundation.

Our ground anchors were installed across the site to secure the carport structures. The installation process was fast and caused minimal disruption, which was crucial when working on an active business park with 55 companies.

Supporting Portsmouth's Green Goals
This project supports Portsmouth City Council in achieving its Net Zero targets. The system prevents more than 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, and on sunny days, excess power feeds back into the grid.
While Custom Solar handled the panels, batteries, and EV chargers, Spirafix provided the critical underground infrastructure that held everything together.

Projects like Lakeside show how commercial spaces can generate their own clean energy while creating practical benefits. The carports provide shade and weather protection for vehicles while producing electricity, and the businesses based there get access to green power at no direct cost.
For Spirafix, it's another example of how our anchoring solutions support the renewable energy sector. Whether it's solar farms, carports or ground-mounted arrays, reliable foundations make these installations work for the long term.

The Lakeside project stands as one of the largest of its kind in the country and has now won Commercial Project of the Year at the Solar and Storage Live Awards. We're pleased to have played our part in making it happen.