All about ground mounted solar panels

Ground-mounted solar panels provide an additional option for people to use solar energy to power their home. Ground-mounted solar panels get installed by pole mount or standard mount. Ground-mount solar panels provide homeowners a way to add solar if their home doesn’t have ideal conditions for rooftop solar panels.

Find out why people choose ground-mounted solar panels and if they’re right for you.

What is a ground mounted solar panel?

A ground-mounted solar panel is the same as a rooftop solar panel. The only difference is ground-mount solar panels get set up on the ground and use a standard installation or a pole mount installation. Some ground solar panel mounting systems can move with the sun in order to capture the most sunlight they can each day.

Ground-mounted solar panels use solar photovoltaic panels, favored by the majority of homeowners as the best solar panels for homes – attached to a frame or a pole. A pole-mounted system can use a single-axis or dual-axis system to follow the movement of the sun to maximize sunlight capture. Ground-mounted solar panels have a racking system and the panels can vary in height from the ground. The panels can stand just a few inches off the ground to several feet. Both systems need a concrete foundation to remain securely in place.

Pole-Mounted Solar vs. Standard Ground Mounted Solar

When you decide to have ground-mounted solar, you have two options on how to install them on the ground. The panels can get attached with a pole mounted system or a standard mount.

Standard Ground Mount Solar

Standard ground mount solar systems are similar to rooftop solar installations in that the solar panels are attached to a metal frame. However, instead of being installed on a rooftop, these systems are placed directly on the ground. The metal frame is designed to securely hold the panels and can be tilted to optimize the angle at which the panels receive sunlight. This tilt adjustment is crucial for maximizing the energy output, as it allows the panels to capture sunlight more efficiently throughout the day and across different seasons.

The metal frame is typically anchored into the ground, ensuring stability and durability. This anchoring system can be customized based on the soil type and the specific requirements of the installation site. The ability to adjust the tilt angle of the panels is particularly useful in locations with varying seasonal sunlight angles, as it enables the panels to capture the maximum amount of sunlight year-round.

Overall, standard ground mount solar systems offer a versatile and effective solution for harnessing solar energy, especially in situations where rooftop installations are not feasible or desirable.

Pole-Mounted Solar

Pole-mounted solar systems involve planting a pole in the ground with a concrete foundation. This method of installation is designed to elevate the solar panels above the ground, providing clearance and flexibility in positioning the panels. Pole-mounted systems can accommodate varying numbers of solar panels attached to a single pole, with some configurations capable of holding up to 24 panels.

These systems are available in two primary configurations: top-of-the-pole setups and side-of-the-pole mounts.

• Top-of-the-Pole Setups: In this configuration, the solar panels are mounted at the top of the pole. This design is advantageous for larger solar systems and can be equipped with solar tracking capabilities. Solar tracking allows the panels to follow the sun’s movement across the sky, optimizing energy production by ensuring the panels are always facing the sun.
• Side-of-the-Pole Mounts: These mounts typically cannot use solar tracking but are suitable for smaller solar systems. Side-of-the-pole mounts are designed to hold two to three solar panels and are often more cost-effective and easier to install than top-of-the-pole setups. They are ideal for sites where tracking is not necessary or where a simpler, more compact solution is preferred.

Both types of pole-mounted systems provide a stable and secure foundation for solar panels, making them a popular choice for ground-mounted installations, especially in areas where ground space is limited or where there is a need to avoid shading from nearby objects.

Benefits of Ground Mounted Solar

Ground-mounted solar panels can potentially capture more solar energy than solar panels on your roof, depending on where they get mounted and how they get mounted. Depending upon how much space you have at your home, you can have more ground-mounted solar panels than you could on your roof. Or, you could install ground-mounted solar panels in addition to your rooftop panels.

Capture More Sunlight

Ground-mounted solar panels give you the option on where you want to install your solar panels. With your roof, you’re usually limited to the areas that have southern exposure to take advantage of the most sunlight. Your home might not have a lot of southern exposure with your roof and you might not be able to install many solar panels.

Depending on the size of your lot, you likely have more space to place solar panels on the ground and add more solar panels with southern exposure to capture more sunlight. With more solar panels, you could increase the amount of power you generate with solar energy.

Reduces Risk to Your Home

If you have ground-mounted solar panels, you don’t have to worry about the risk of faulty wiring leading to a fire on your roof or improper installation issues.

Easier to Expand

If you have the space, you can easily expand ground-mounted solar panels and not worry about having a smaller area on your roof for solar panels. Provided you have areas on the ground free from obstructions like trees that can cast shadows over the panels, you might get more efficient use from your solar panels. It’s estimated that solar trackers can produce from 10% to 45% more electricity as fixed tilt panels.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a ground-mounted solar system or rooftop solar, you’ll want to compare quotes from installers. Our website help you to find a system that meets your needs at the right price. Please contect us.