# Terrain tracking

Lay out ground-mount arrays on the site's slope and inspect pile reveals.

Source: https://docs.staging.solesca.com/editor/terrain/

Terrain tracking lets a layout follow the ground instead of treating the site as flat. Review the resulting layout against the slope, clearance, and pile limits for your racking.

## License

Terrain tracking is an add-on. An Owner or Admin assigns available terrain licenses in **Settings › Administration › Members**. See [Members and seats](https://docs.staging.solesca.com/admin/members/).

Without the add-on, the terrain control explains how to request access. Members can send a request through [Concierge](https://docs.staging.solesca.com/start/concierge/); Owners and Admins can open billing.

## Upgrade a design

1. Draw the fields for your site.
2. Click **Upgrade to terrain tracking** in the editor toolbar.
3. Review the confirmation, then click **Upgrade**.
4. Wait for elevation data and the updated layout.
5. Select each ground-mount field and review its **Terrain** settings.

The conversion cannot be reversed with a downgrade control. Duplicate a design first if you want to keep a separate flat version.

After the upgrade, a **Terrain** layer appears in the design. The model selector uses **Solesca Pro**. Review the module count, inspect the site in 3D, and model the updated design before using its energy figures.

## Terrain section

Ground fixed-tilt and tracker fields have terrain settings in the field inspector. Select the appropriate **Product** from your organization's [terrain products](https://docs.staging.solesca.com/system/racking-products/).

| Setting | What to check |
| --- | --- |
| **Axis · Cross** or **Along · Across** | Permitted slope along and across the structure. |
| **Section angle**, **Hinge · Wing** | Articulation limits for trackers that support them. |
| **Rows per drive**, **Angle · Turn** | Driveline limits for the selected tracker. |
| **Frame clearance** or **Table clearance** | Minimum clearance above the ground. |
| **Frame gap** or **Table gap** | Spacing between neighboring structures. |
| **Reveal** | Minimum and maximum pile height above ground. |
| **Bay gap** or **Max bay gap** | Spacing between piles. |
| **Pile lines**, **Line spacing** | The number and spacing of support lines for tables. |

Expand the controls beside a row to see additional settings. Check the units shown. Review product values against the equipment specifications and site requirements before accepting them.

Rows or tables that cannot meet the configured limits can be omitted. If the system becomes smaller than expected, inspect the affected area and verify the product and limits before changing them.

## Pile reveals

Use **Show piles** in the terrain section to display the supports. Under **Pile view options**, **Color by reveal** colors piles by their height above ground. **Show removed piles** helps inspect areas where structures were omitted.

Use these views to identify tall reveals and investigate changes in the ground. Download the [Pile Reveal package](https://docs.staging.solesca.com/downloads/racking/) to share the racking report and schedules.

## Terrain display and alignment

**Show terrain surface** controls the elevation surface display. Hiding the surface changes the view; it does not convert the design back to a flat layout.

Review the terrain against the map and any site information you have. **Geoid offset**, where shown, adjusts vertical alignment. A display adjustment is not a replacement for checking site elevations.

## Modeling and exports

Terrain designs use [Solesca Pro](https://docs.staging.solesca.com/editor/simulate/). Review the results after changing racking or terrain settings. [3D CAD](https://docs.staging.solesca.com/downloads/rendering-cad-google-earth/#cad) and the pile-reveal package support handoff of the current layout.