Our IR EarthBallast™ Kits come with a pre-cut roll of commercial grade geotextile fabric made for soil retaining wall retention. The kit also includes a high-strength 15 minute fast setting epoxy to bond the geotextile fabric to the base tube of each frame. By pulling the fabric tight across the base tubes, this creates a trampoline type effect with a 2" air gap underneath the ballast. Once the heavy soil or crushed rock is loaded on suspended fabric, it will such down the rack frames with incredible force. See our Stamped Engineering & Datasheets for your specific frame model to determine how much weight is needed per module section.
PRO TIP: Ballast with light sand or crushed light colored rock for increased bifacial gain
*1" Conduit Pipe / EMT (NOT included) is required to link the frames together and can be sourced at any local hardware or electrical supply store in 10' lengths, which is enough to cover two panels.
*Two ¾ x 12" round concrete forming steel stakes are required for each frame to provide added strength and easy leveling of the system.
IntegraRack “BallastRack” solar panel racking frames, when ballasted in accordance with our published data sheets, are considered temporary/movable retail finished, pre-engineered backyard accessory structures. Therefore, according to IBC, they do not require a building permit, so long as the racking structure is not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height (see Chapter 1, Section [A] 105.2 of the 2018/2021/2024 International Building Code (IBC®)). Furthermore, the BallastRack solar panel rack frames can also be used for the storage of tools, water tanks, or other storage items, while utilizing the solar panels themselves as the weather shelter.
*If you need to achieve a higher wind speed rating for your installation, you might want to consider our Concrete BallastSlab™ mounting option.
*In some counties, anchoring the system with bolts, on concrete footings, or other anchoring systems may require engineering and/or a building permit.
*Some counties may have different requirements for classifying temporary structures. Please check with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Watch this video to see how fast and easy the IR EarthBallast System is!
Each IR EarthScrew Kit is good for 5 BallastRack frames, includes 10 EarthScrews. This kit provides fast and easy installation in almost any terrain with incredible strength. The IR EarthScrew is NOT recommended for silt/sand or rocky terrain, only dense compacted soil types. Ten pack kit is good for five BallastRack frames.
*One EarthScrew must be tested at the installation site to ensure it can withstand a minimum of 1,000 lbs of uplift.
*Professional installation is recommended with this mounting option.
*1" Conduit Pipe / EMT (NOT included) is required to link the frames together and can be sourced at any local hardware or electrical supply store in 10' lengths, which is enough to cover two panels.
For really dense soil types:
Pre-drilled holes may be required using an SDS Hammer Drill & 30 Inch SDS-Max Speed-X Carbide Rotary Hammer Bit for Concrete Drilling. Concrete mix can be poured into the holes with water for an even stronger anchor.
10 Pack Kit
This mounting kit provides enough concrete anchor bolts to mount up to 11 BallastRack frames to pre-poured concrete slabs/footings or an existing concrete surface such as a patio (on-site engineering may be required). This kit also includes two concrete drill bits and 44 washers. This mounting option provides the highest wind ratings for all BallastRack systems.
This mounting kit requires a concrete slab/footing that is at least 5 feet wide and 5 inches thick, spanning the length of each row for a total of 1,200 lbs of ballast for each solar panel. The BallastRack frames must be mounted at least 1 foot away from the back edge of slab/footing.
For temporary or permanent mounting, each BallastRack system can be ballasted using sand bags, concrete blocks or curb stops.
*1" Conduit Pipe / EMT (NOT included) is required for installation and can be sourced at any local hardware or electrical supply store.
IntegraRack “BallastRack” solar panel racking frames, when ballasted in accordance with our published data sheets, are considered temporary/movable retail finished, pre-engineered backyard accessory structures. Therefore, according to IBC, they do not require a building permit, so long as the racking structure is not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height (see Chapter 1, Section [A] 105.2 of the 2018/2021/2024 International Building Code (IBC®)). Furthermore, the BallastRack solar panel rack frames can also be used for the storage of tools, water tanks, or other storage items, while utilizing the solar panels themselves as the weather shelter.
*If you need to achieve a higher wind speed rating for your installation, you might want to consider our Concrete BallastSlab™ mounting option.
*In some counties, anchoring the system with bolts, on concrete footings, or other anchoring systems may require engineering and/or a building permit.
*Some counties may have different requirements for classifying temporary structures. Please check with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).