Engineering for Extremes: Designing Solar for Ontario Conditions | Polar Racking

Ontario solar projects have to handle heavy snow, high winds, freeze-thaw cycles and changing ground conditions. In this webinar hosted by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), Polar Racking's Sam Alradhi and Shant Pailian explain how engineering, flexible foundation options and Ontario-focused R&D make projects easier to build, more reliable and longer-lasting. The lessons come from Ontario ground-mount projects that have run for more than 10 years, some for as long as 16. Sam and Shant share what those systems taught us and how it shapes Polar Racking's design and testing today. Recorded live on October 6, 2026. ▶ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How snow, wind, freeze-thaw cycles and different soils affect racking, foundation choice and long-term reliability Lessons from Ontario ground-mount systems running for 10 to 16+ years How proven field experience and local R&D carry into future projects Where helical piles, driven posts, ground screws and micropiles fit How Polar Racking's local remote and on-site O&M services support long-term performance ▶ SPEAKERS Sam Alradhi – VP of Operations, Polar Racking. Sam has more than 16 years of international experience delivering large-scale solar projects across North America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa. He has led more than 1.5 GW of solar projects and knows foundation systems, racking, construction and project delivery inside out. Shant Pailian – Research & Development Lead, Engineering, Polar Racking. Shant has nearly 20 years of experience in product development, advanced technology and automation across the solar, automotive, robotics and AI sectors. At Polar Racking, he leads work on next-generation trackers, foundation and racking systems, IoT and engineering automation, from early design through testing, validation and certification. ▶ ABOUT POLAR RACKING Polar Racking is a Canadian manufacturer of solar racking, trackers, foundations and carport systems built for demanding site conditions. We support projects from design through long-term operations and maintenance. Learn more: https://www.polarracking.com