Topographic & Underground Utilities Surveys - UK Solar Farms

When surveying farmland, you can expect a few spectators. - Adam uses GPR to map field drainage, while the locals keep him company.

As the UK pushes forward with its renewable energy goals, solar farms are becoming a more common sight across the countryside. But turning agricultural land into a clean energy powerhouse isn't as simple as it might look. At Project North Geomatics, we've recently completed a detailed topographic and underground utilities survey on a proposed solar farm site in rural Northumberland and the job was anything but routine.

From unexpected subsurface conditions, roaming livestock & navigating weather-worn terrain, this project highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges of preparing farmland for solar infrastructure.

Why Farmland?

Farmland offers the open, relatively unobstructed space solar developers need - but it’s not a blank slate. Formerly cultivated land often hides a history of past utilities, drainage networks, and varying topography, all of which must be mapped accurately before any development begins.

That’s where our team stepped in, providing two critical types of survey:

• Topographic Survey: To understand the lay of the land - its gradients, features, and natural drainage - crucial for optimising panel layout and access routes.

• Underground Utilities Survey: To detect existing services, redundant pipework, and any infrastructure that may affect piling or trenching work.

Surveying Challenges:

While surveying greenfield sites might sound straightforward, several common challenges can complicate the process:

1. Legacy Utilities and Incomplete Records

Much of the UK’s rural infrastructure predates modern mapping systems, and records can be sparse or outdated. This makes electromagnetic detection and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) essential tools - not just for identifying live utilities, but for discovering old farm drainage systems or disused cables and pipes that could obstruct development.

2. Soft Ground and Unstable Terrain

Recent weather patterns across the UK have left many rural sites waterlogged or subject to soft ground conditions. These conditions not only slow progress, but can reduce the effectiveness of some survey equipment and demand additional health and safety precautions.

3. Access Constraints

Field margins, hedgerows, and narrow country tracks can make getting equipment on site a logistical puzzle. Careful planning and coordination with landowners are essential to ensure minimal disruption to both existing farm operations and the survey process.

4. Ecological Sensitivities

Solar farm developments in the UK often require ecological assessments in parallel with geospatial work. Our surveyors work with environmental consultants to ensure our work respects wildlife corridors, protected species, and local conservation priorities.

Delivering Value Through Precision.

Using a combination of Trimble Total Stations & GNSS, we created a detailed 3D DWG of the site. This allowed designers to optimise the panel layout to the terrain while planning for efficient access, stormwater runoff, and minimal earthworks.

Meanwhile, our underground mapping provided developers with a clear picture of risks below the surface - helping avoid costly surprises during construction and ensuring compliance with CDM (Construction Design and Management) regulations.

Mapping the Way to Net Zero.

At Project North Geomatics, we're proud to be playing a part in the UK’s transition to renewable energy. By providing accurate, site-specific data, we help solar developers make informed decisions that save time, reduce costs, and protect the environment.

If you’re planning a solar project - whether on a rural estate, a former airfield, or repurposed brownfield - get in touch.

Beneath the surface: GPR helped us map decades-old field drainage to keep development running smoothly.