A one-piece, Z shaped steel plate foundation comprising a main plate body extending the longitudinal length of the foundation from a top to a bottom of the foundation, a single rear flange extending perpendicular to the main plate body in a first direction at a rear edge of the main plate body, wherein the single rear flange does not extend past the main plate body in the direction opposite the first direction, a single front flange extending perpendicular to the main plate body in the direction opposite the first direction at a front edge of the main plate body, wherein the single front flange does not extend past the main plate body in the first direction; and a plurality of mounting holes at the top of the one-piece metal plate foundation configured for attachment to the structure to be supported.