Helical piles are technically not driven piles, which infers the use of a hammer or weight used to “drive” a pile into the ground. Helicals are turned very slowly into the ground using a torque motor. Helicals have helix bearing plates (not screws) welded to the shaft – can be a single bearing plate or more if soils require. When multiple helix bearing plates are used, the spacing between the plates is such that the second, third or more plates follow the same cutting path into the soil to minimize soil disturbance, and helicals do not produce in soil spoils like augers do.

My website and my monthly HPW eNEWS frequently report on helical pile foundations used on solar projects. Here is a link to one such project you might find interesting – https://helicalpileworld.com/largest_helical_pile_project_ever.html

Best of luck with your writing/reporting career.