November 17, 2025
PureSky Energy is a leading developer, owner and operator of community solar farms and energy storage projects with more than 9,000 customers who have received more than $5 million in total savings.
PureSky wanted to expand its portfolio with four solar projects in New York State. Each location presented its own challenges: uneven terrain, underground problems, boggy areas and rocky soils.
For solutions, PureSky worked with Terrasmart and deployed the TerraTrak 1P tracker in combination with a ground screw foundation to handle the region’s frost, wind and storms. The tracker’s 30% fewer parts, 30-50% fewer foundations per MW and simplified wire management allowed for faster construction and lower costs.
PureSky Site Challenges
Pond Obstructions: One location had a pond and eight previously installed trackers submerged in a foot of water. Terrasmart’s 1P tracker provided the flexibility needed to adapt layouts and heights to the challenging conditions.
Difficult topography: At several locations, elevation variation was required to navigate uneven terrain. The design of the TerraTrak 1P tracker allowed for flexible installation on variable slopes, allowing the team to complete work up to 30% faster than standard systems.
Rocky terrain: In locations with underground rocks and dense soil, Terrasmart ground screws provided a proven foundation solution. They are designed for durability in rocky and high frost areas, ensuring long-lasting reliability despite harsh site conditions.
Timing and permitting: Delays in permitting and site verification caused planning issues. Terrasmart’s site surveys provided highly accurate data, often uncovering new information that allowed PureSky to refine its project designs before construction began.
Terrasmart solutions
Terrasmart’s integrated, in-house capabilities, which include engineering, manufacturing and installation, gave PureSky a seamless experience from concept to completion. The full package included:
- System design and engineering
- Production and logistics
- Mechanical installation of racks, panels and network controls
- Integration of PeakYield™ monitoring software and weather stations
- Training and education for end users
By combining TerraTrak 1P with its screw foundation, Terrasmart assumed full failure risk and leveraged subsurface knowledge based on more than 11,000 tensile tests. The tracker’s low profile matches the topography while maintaining performance in harsh weather conditions.
When Terrasmart crews were confronted with underground rock, they deployed specialized rock drills to pre-drill foundations, preventing delays. The installation teams exceeded expectations, installing 75 screws per day, which is 1.5x faster than typical market rates.
“We ultimately chose Terrasmart to build this portfolio for a few key reasons. One is the relationship and long history of working with their team, from account manager to designers and installation team. We are very pleased with the reliability of their product; and the fact that their tracker, TerraTrak, is DC powered is a major advantage during commissioning. Finally, the sturdy and robust foundations and A-frames are very attractive for weather conditions in the Northeast.” – Pat McGowan, senior project manager, PureSky
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Keywords: Terrasmart
