Construction of a solar park – How will the sun be harnessed for electricity production?
The construction of the solar park will make visible what has been prepared on the drawing boards for a long time. The construction phase of the project combines precise project management, electrotechnical expertise and seamless logistics. When the farm is completed, the solar panels, inverters and cabling will form a system that will produce renewable energy for decades to come.
Construction of the solar park – summary
· The construction of the solar park begins with the preparation of the land area and electrical connections.
· The construction will proceed in stages: foundations, scaffolding and , finally, solar panels.
· At Sweco, we ensure that the construction site proceeds safely and responsibly.
Building a solar park: from plans to practice
The construction of a solar park does not begin with the erection of a construction site fence, but with careful planning work. Before a single pile is driven into the ground, the consent of the landowners has been determined, the solar production potential has been assessed, environmental studies have been carried out and the capacity of the grid has been ensured.
The construction phase can only start once these three key issues have been resolved:
· Permits and plans: official processes have been taken care of and there is a legal basis for construction
· Electricity contracts: sales, connection and transmission have been agreed with energy companies
· Investment and financing decision: the project has also been given the green light financially
The duration of construction can vary greatly from a few months to even a couple of years, depending on the area of the site, the complexity of logistics and weather conditions, among other things.
Site published on September 10th, 2025
The 6 stages of building a solar park
1. Establishment of the site and preparation of the area
1. Establishment of the site and preparation of the area
The construction of the solar park will begin with the arrangements of the site and the preparation of the construction area. At this stage, the physical and functional conditions for construction are created.
The area will be cleared of vegetation and topsoil, the bottoms will be levelled, and rainwater management will be resolved taking into account the special characteristics of the site. At the same time, construction site areas will be
established, access roads and driving routes for heavy equipment will be built, and material storage and assembly points will be defined.
A well-planned and executed preparation phase prevents schedule delays and reduces logistics risks, which is critical especially in large, phased solar parks.
2. Earthing and Construction of Cable Routes
2. Earthing and Construction of Cable Routes
The second phase focuses on the infrastructure that is central to the electricity system. Before the actual electrical components are installed, the cabling and grounding solutions for the field are built. The solutions made at this stage affect the system’s lifecycle costs, losses, and repairability.
3. Installation of load-bearing structures and foundations
3. Installation of load-bearing structures and foundations
Next, we move on to the installation of the load-bearing structures of the solar panels. The frames or scaffolding systems are dimensioned according to the wind and snow loads of the site, and the foundation method is chosen based on the load-bearing capacity of the soil and the logistics of the project. Installation accuracy is important, as the right angle of the panels improves energy production.
4. Installation of solar panels and inverters
4. Installation of solar panels and inverters
In the fourth phase, the core of the solar park – the panel field – will begin to be built. In the installation phase, workforce management, scheduling and installation quality are emphasized. Panel damage and careless connections can lead to significant production losses.
5. Connection and testing of electrical systems
5. Connection and testing of electrical systems
Once the solar field is assembled, the electrical system is connected to structures outside the field. In addition, all necessary measurements and electrotechnical validation are carried out in accordance with the requirements of the network company and the authorities. Quality assurance, the functionality and accuracy of protective devices are critical from the point of view of both safety and the start of commercial production.
6. Commissioning, supervision and handover
6. Commissioning, supervision and handover
In the final phase, the final test and official implementation of the system will be carried out. At the same time, the maintenance organization is trained and a maintenance schedule is drawn up.
The transfer phase is crucial for risk management and the transfer of contractual responsibility. A well-documented and officially approved commissioning minimizes ambiguities during the warranty period and improves the predictability of the investment.
We are planning Finland’s largest solar park to be built in in Heinineva, Lapua. The project, which is located on a former peat bog, will produce electricity for the needs of 6,000 detached houses sustainably and efficiently.
Choose an expert partner for the construction of a solar park
We offer comprehensive support for the construction of a solar power plant:
· Construction and project management services
· Site supervision and quality assurance
· Environmental and Safety Experts
· Planning of electricity transmission and grid connection
· Logistics planning and supply chain management
· Digital tools and building information modelling (BIM)
A sustainable solar park is created with respect for the environment
Biodiversity and construction management
We start project planning with terrain and geospatial nature surveys. These are used to identify valuable habitats, such as meadows, wetlands or areas where endangered species occur. Construction routes, the placement of panel fields and
service roads will be designed so that the most sensitive nature sites can be completely bypassed or their effects can be mitigated.
Minimizing soil impacts
The method of establishment has a significant impact on the long-term effects of the solar park to be built on the soil. We recommend lightweight, impermeable solutions whenever technically and economically feasible. This allows the ecological restorability of the site at the end of the plant’s life cycle, especially in the case of leased areas or areas with landscape value.
Stormwater management and erosion protection
The construction of a solar park may change the water cycle in the area, which will affect surface waters, nutrient leaching and the landscape. We integrated stormwater management as part of the preparation phase of the site. Solutions can include retention structures, absorption areas or natural depressions that prevent erosion and support the natural circulation of water in the area.
Aftercare that supports biodiversity
Environmental responsibility does not end at the construction stage. Together with the client, plans maintenance models that support biodiversity also during use. This can mean, for example, sowing meadow plants suitable for pollinators, leaving undriven zones at the edges of the field, or maintaining routes suitable for animals.
Responsibility as part of the acceptability of the project
Today, environmental impact management is a key part of the eligibility of a project, but also the approval of financiers, network companies and stakeholders. Our strong environmental expertise and versatile sustainability solutions support the project’ s ESG requirements, communication and lifecycle risk management, making the solar park an ecologically and commercially sustainable investment.
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