Lumax fixed-tilt solar structures
Lumax Energy designs, engineers and manufactures fixed-tilt Ground Mount structures for commercial, industrial and utility-scale solar projects across Africa.
The current Lumax Ground Mount range is built around two structural platforms: AluCore and SteelCore. Both are available as standard pre-engineered kits for suitable projects and as project-specific engineered structures.
The platform is selected together with the module configuration and foundation method. Wind region, terrain, geotechnical conditions, corrosion exposure, module geometry, project scale, installation methodology and commercial objectives are assessed as one design problem.
Platform selection
Aluminium and steel each bring distinct strengths to the structure. Each platform creates different opportunities for corrosion management, component design, support spacing, handling, fabrication and project optimisation. Lumax therefore recommends AluCore or SteelCore only after reviewing the conditions that drive the complete installed structure.
Aluminium platform
AluCore is the aluminium-based Ground Mount platform. It is normally considered where the project benefits from aluminium primary members, lower component mass, adaptable aluminium profiles or a more aggressive corrosion environment. AluCore may be considered for applications up to C5, subject to the site exposure, full material specification and project engineering.
Steel platform
SteelCore is the steel Ground Mount platform. It is normally considered where a robust steel structure, scalable fabrication, structural efficiency and commercial optimisation align with the site and project. SteelCore is positioned for C2 to C4 exposure, with the required steel grade, finish and corrosion-protection system selected for the project.
The starting point is the project requirement, not a predetermined product. Lumax compares the following inputs before recommending the structural platform:
SteelCore is positioned for C2 to C4. AluCore can be considered for applications up to C5, subject to project review.
Module dimensions, table geometry, tilt, support spacing and loading determine which member arrangement is efficient.
AluCore normally uses the R112 profile for spans up to 4 m where engineering permits. R90 is the less common AluCore option where support spacing is 3 m or less. SteelCore supports spans up to 4 m, subject to loading and project engineering.
Direct-driven piles, pre-drilled and driven piles, drill-and-concrete, ground screws and conventional concrete can be assessed with either platform. The foundation method is selected for the site, not used as a separate product identity.
Access, available plant, installation sequence, handling, assembly and programme can materially affect the most practical solution.
The complete structure, foundations, material utilisation, manufacturing and site installation are considered together. The lowest-cost member is not necessarily the lowest-cost installed solution.
Commercial design route
Lumax compares standard and custom routes before recommending the better project outcome.
GM-06 · Commercial design route
Project inputs
Within the approved standard design envelope?
Yes
Common configurations
Standard AluCore and SteelCore kits are available for common configurations, subject to availability and the project falling within the approved design envelope. Because the structural engineering and standard drawings are already established, these kits can shorten the route from enquiry to quotation and supply.
For projects of approximately 1 MW and smaller, a standard kit will often be the most practical commercial route. Larger projects may still use standard kits, but scale creates greater opportunity to optimise table length, support spacing, member sizes, connections, foundations, material utilisation and the overall layout.
No · or scale justifies optimisation
Project optimisation
For projects above approximately 1 MW, a custom-engineered structure is generally more cost-effective because even modest project-specific efficiencies can be repeated across a large number of tables and foundations. Lumax will compare the standard and custom routes before recommending the better project outcome.
Scale creates the opportunity to optimise
Larger projects may still use standard kits. Lumax compares both routes before recommending the better project outcome. The lowest-cost member is not necessarily the lowest-cost installed solution.
GM-01 · Confirmed fixed-tilt arrangements
End elevations of the module arrangements supported by AluCore and SteelCore.
Schematic · Not to scaleSee what information helps Lumax assess each arrangement. A preliminary layout or preferred tilt is useful if available; you do not need a final design to start.
Two modules in portrait
Tilt range10° to 25°
2P Portrait
Share the module datasheet, preliminary layout and preferred tilt, if known. Lumax reviews module dimensions, loading and site conditions to establish the final table geometry and tilt.
Three modules in portrait
Tilt options10° or 15°
3P Portrait
If known, indicate whether the preliminary layout uses 10° or 15° and share the module datasheet. These are two design options; Lumax confirms the final arrangement against module dimensions, loading and site conditions.
Two east, two west
Tilt range10° to 15°
East-West / 4P
Show the intended east- and west-facing module arrangement in the preliminary layout, if available, and share the module datasheet. Lumax reviews module dimensions, loading and site conditions before confirming the final geometry.
One connected design problem
The platform, geometry and foundations are developed together. No isolated material choice replaces the project engineering basis.
Wind region
Wind loading affects member sizes, support spacing, connections and foundation reactions. Standard designs are available for SANS wind regions of 36 m/s and 44 m/s.
Lumax uses the project location and available design information to determine whether a standard design is appropriate. Where the project falls outside the standard design envelope, or where project requirements demand a different basis, Lumax develops a project-specific engineered solution. For projects outside South Africa, the applicable national and project design requirements are confirmed as part of the engineering scope.
Exposure
C2, C3, C4 and C5 are environmental corrosivity classifications. ISO 9223 provides a system for classifying atmospheric corrosivity, while ISO 12944 uses environmental classifications as an important input when corrosion-protection systems for steel structures are selected.
Project authority
On the Lumax website, these categories are used as selection context, not as blanket product certification. SteelCore is positioned for C2 to C4 exposure with a project-appropriate corrosion-protection system. AluCore may be considered for applications up to C5, subject to the full environmental, material and engineering review. Local salinity, pollutants, humidity, time of wetness, maintenance expectations and the detailed component specification remain relevant.
GM-02 · Corrosion exposure
Corrosion Positioning by Platform
Corrosivity categories used as selection context for AluCore and SteelCore.
GM-03 · Foundation strategy
The mounting structure and foundations act as one structural system. Soil behaviour, rock or refusal depth, groundwater, erosion risk, structural reactions, project scale, construction equipment and programme all influence the preferred foundation method.
Illustrative foundation routes, not supplied member, connection, anchor or reinforcement details. Final type, section, depth and installation are project-engineered. Not for construction.
Normally preferred at scale where ground allows reliable installation.
01 · Direct-driven piles
Normally preferred for larger projects where ground conditions allow reliable installation. Direct driving is generally the fastest and most cost-effective method at scale, but it requires specialist piling equipment and verified site performance.
Where harder layers or local refusal hinder direct driving.
02 · Pre-drilled and driven piles
Used where direct driving is difficult but a driven-pile solution remains practical. Pre-drilling assists installation through harder layers or local refusal conditions while retaining the pile-based foundation approach.
Where effective pile driving is not practical.
03 · Drill-and-concrete
Used where effective pile driving is not practical, particularly on larger sites where ground conditions require drilled holes and a concreted pile or post arrangement.
An alternative for selected soils and access, usually at a higher cost.
04 · Ground screws
Foundation selection follows the site conditions and project design. Direct-driven piles are normally preferred for larger installations where ground permits. Ground screws provide an alternative where appropriate, usually at a higher cost.
Normally considered for smaller sites or suitable standard-kit projects.
05 · Conventional concrete foundations
Normally considered for smaller sites and suitable standard-kit projects where mobilising specialist piling equipment would not be commercially justified. The civil foundation and structural anchoring scope must be clearly defined for the project.
Whenever direct-driven piles are selected, on-site pull-out testing is mandatory for every project and must be completed before manufacture. Testing confirms the required pile embedment and verifies the foundation assumptions used in the structural design.
A project can enter the quotation and concept-selection process before a complete geotechnical report is available. Using the project location, module information, preliminary layout, capacity, tilt and declared assumptions, Lumax can assess the likely platform, configuration, standard-kit suitability and preliminary foundation routes.
The selection is provisional until the ground is verified
The proposal will identify the assumptions and information still required. As geotechnical and site data becomes available, Lumax can refine the foundation strategy, support spacing and project-specific design.
Project delivery
Six stages from first project definition to quality-controlled manufacture.
GM-08 · Project delivery
Location, capacity, module, preliminary layout, tilt and available technical requirements.
Wind region, terrain, corrosion exposure and available geotechnical information.
AluCore or SteelCore, configuration, standard kit or custom-engineered structure.
Method selected around ground behaviour, structural reactions, scale and construction methodology.
Member sizes, support spacing, connections, foundations, material utilisation and constructability.
Approved drawings, quality-controlled production, packing and project support in accordance with the agreed scope.
Start with what is available
You do not need every input before speaking to Lumax. Send the information currently available and identify what is still outstanding.
Selection questions
Start with the site and project requirements. Lumax compares corrosion exposure, loading, layout, foundations, construction and commercial outcomes before recommending a platform.
No. Lumax can begin with declared assumptions and available site information, then refine the structure and foundations when geotechnical data becomes available.
Standard kits are often practical at approximately 1 MW and smaller. Above approximately 1 MW, repeated project-specific efficiencies generally make custom engineering more cost-effective.
No. On-site pull-out testing is mandatory for every project using direct-driven piles and must be completed before manufacture.
The current configurations are 2P portrait at 10° to 25°, 3P portrait at 10° or 15°, and East-West / 4P at 10° to 15°. Final geometry remains project-specific.
Lumax can assess direct-driven piles, pre-drilled and driven piles, drill-and-concrete, ground screws and conventional concrete foundations. The site, structural reactions, project scale, available equipment and programme determine the preferred route.
They are atmospheric corrosivity classifications used as selection context. SteelCore is positioned for C2 to C4, while AluCore may be considered for applications up to C5 subject to the full environmental, material and engineering review.
Standard designs are available for SANS wind regions of 36 m/s and 44 m/s. Lumax reviews the project location and available design information to determine whether a standard or project-specific design basis is appropriate.
Share the information currently available. Lumax will identify the likely platform, design route, configuration and information still required.
