%20(1).png)
Ground-Mounted Solar Panels: Everything You Need To Know
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
Solar power has grown from a niche technology into a practical energy option for homes, farms, and commercial properties across the United States. While most solar panel systems sit on rooftops, they can also be installed directly on the ground. A ground-mounted solar system consists of panels anchored into the soil using metal poles or framing, maximizing sunlight exposure.
Ground-mounted systems are ideal for yards exposed to ample sunlight. They also solve common rooftop limitations such as small surfaces or too much shade from trees. In these situations, installing solar panels on the ground allows the system to generate electricity without relying on roof conditions. In this guide, we’ll review how ground-mounted solar panels work, the types available, installation requirements, and more.
What Are Ground-Mounted Solar Panels?
Ground-mounted solar panels are photovoltaic panels installed on metal racking systems anchored directly into the ground instead of attached to a roof. The mounting system holds the panels at a fixed tilt that captures sunlight during the day.
The panels themselves are the same photovoltaic modules used in rooftop solar systems. Each panel converts sunlight into direct current electricity. That electricity flows through wiring to an inverter, which converts it into alternating current power that homes and businesses can use for lighting, appliances, heating systems, and other electrical equipment.
Ground-mounted systems are normally installed in open areas with steady sunlight throughout the day. These areas can include backyards, fields, pastures, commercial lots, or unused land near buildings. Proper placement keeps the panels away from shade created by trees, buildings, or other obstacles that block sunlight.
Pro Tip: Panel orientation plays an important role in energy production. In the United States, solar panels produce the most electricity when they face south and tilt at an angle close to the property’s latitude. A ground-mounted system allows installers to set that angle directly instead of relying on the shape or direction of a roof.
Types of Ground-Mounted Solar Systems
There are several categories of ground-mounted solar systems. While they all work the same way, the mounting methods are different.
Standard Ground-Mounted Systems
A standard ground-mounted system uses metal racking to hold the solar panels at a fixed tilt. Steel posts or aluminum frames anchor the racking into the soil using driven piles or concrete footings. Installers then arrange the panels in rows that face south so the system captures strong sunlight across the day.
Because the panels are stationary, the tilt angle is selected during installation, based on the property’s latitude and sun exposure. This angle allows the system to receive steady sunlight during most daylight hours throughout the year. As a result, fixed systems produce reliable energy without needing any kind of mechanical movement.
This setup is the most common ground-mounted solar installation for homes and small commercial properties. The design has no moving parts, which keeps maintenance needs low and reduces the chance of mechanical wear over time. Installation also tends to be completed faster than tracking systems because fewer components are involved.
Pole-Mounted Solar Systems
Pole-mounted solar systems support a group of panels on a single vertical steel pole anchored into a concrete base. This pole lifts the solar array several feet above the ground, allowing air to circulate beneath the panels. This improved airflow helps reduce heat buildup, which helps the panels operate closer to their rated efficiency.
Another benefit of pole-mounted systems is their adjustable tilt. Some systems allow installers or property owners to change the panel angle during the year. For example, panels can tilt higher during winter months when the sun sits lower in the sky and tilt lower during summer when the sun rises higher overhead.
This mounting style also needs less ground space than multi-row racking systems. Since the panels sit on a single support pole, installers can place the system in tighter areas of open land. This is why properties with uneven terrain or limited yard space sometimes use this option.
Solar Tracking Systems
Solar tracking systems move the panels during the day so they follow the sun across the sky. This tracking increases electricity production by keeping the panels facing direct sunlight for longer periods.
Single-Axis Trackers
A single-axis tracker rotates the panels from east to west during the day. This system features a motor that turns the panel row slowly as the sun moves. This motion keeps the panels pointed toward the sun instead of remaining fixed in one direction.
Single-axis tracking increases annual energy production by roughly 15 to 25 percent compared to fixed-tilt systems. Utility-scale solar farms frequently use this technology because the additional electricity output improves overall system performance.
Dual-Axis Trackers
Dual-axis trackers move panels in two directions. The system, which rotates from east to west during the day, also adjusts the tilt angle as the sun changes height in the sky throughout the year, allowing the panels to face direct sunlight constantly during daylight hours. Dual-axis tracking produces the highest energy output of any solar mounting type. However, the system needs additional motors, sensors, and structural support, which usually raises installation and maintenance costs.
Advantages of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels
Ground-mounted solar panels are ideal for properties with available land. Because the panels are installed on the ground instead of being attached to a roof, there’s more control over panel direction, tilt, and spacing. That control lets the system capture more sunlight and operate with fewer limitations than many rooftop installations.
Optimal Placement: Rooftop solar systems have to follow the direction and slope of the roof. If it faces east, west, or north, the panels can’t get the strongest sunlight throughout the day. Ground-mounted systems remove that restriction because installers can position the panels anywhere on the property, making it easier to avoid shade from trees, chimneys, or nearby buildings.
Higher Energy Production: Better placement leads to higher electricity production. When the panels face the sun at the correct angle, they capture stronger sunlight for longer portions of the day. This placement lets the system generate steady power throughout the morning, midday, and afternoon. Rooftop systems, on the other hand, sometimes lose electricity production because roof slopes and roof directions limit panel orientation.
Easier Maintenance: Ground-mounted panels are at ground level, which makes maintenance much simpler. Technicians can inspect wiring, check mounting hardware, and service electrical components without climbing onto a roof. This accessibility improves safety and reduces the time required for maintenance visits. Cleaning dust, pollen, bird droppings, and leaves off the panels is also much easier, which supports better system performance.
Ideal for Poor Roof Conditions: Some homes have small roofs that can't hold enough panels to meet electricity needs. Other roofs face the wrong direction or are shaded by nearby trees for most of the day. With ground-mounted solar energy systems, the array can simply be placed on open land without worrying about roof condition or roof orientation. As a result, many properties that can't support rooftop solar can still generate electricity with a ground installation.
Expandability: Ground-mounted systems also support future system growth. As electricity use increases, property owners may wish to expand their solar capacity, as new appliances or electric vehicle charging can increase electricity demand over time. With a ground installation, extra rows of panels can be added near the original array.
Improved Panel Cooling: Solar panels generate electricity most efficiently at lower temperatures, but heat buildup can occur when they sit close to a roof surface, trapping warm air underneath the array. Ground-mounted systems allow air to circulate freely around the panels, helping them operate closer to their rated efficiency during warm weather.
Disadvantages of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels
Ground-mounted solar panels have clear advantages, but they also have some limitations. If you’re thinking about going solar, you’ll want to evaluate factors like land availability, installation cost, local regulations, and visual impact.
Land Requirements: Ground-mounted solar panels need open land that receives direct sunlight throughout most of the day. (Larger installations used by farms or commercial properties may require several thousand square feet.) The installation area must also allow room for construction equipment and service access.
Higher Installation Cost: Ground-mounted solar installations usually cost more than rooftop systems because the array requires its own support foundation. Electrical wiring may also travel a longer distance between the solar array and the building’s electrical panel. Some systems include solar tracking equipment, which needs motors, sensors, and extra mounting hardware.
Permits and Local Regulations: Local building codes and zoning rules can affect where ground-mounted solar panels may be installed. Local governments may also require building permits before construction begins, and some homeowners associations may also regulate solar installations in residential neighborhoods.
Visual Impact: Ground-mounted solar panels are more visible. Some homeowners prefer rooftop systems because the panels sit above the main living space and are less visible from ground level. A ground installation places the array within the yard or field, where it may appear from nearby roads or neighboring properties.
Feature | Ground-Mounted Solar Panels | Rooftop Solar Panels |
Installation Location | Installed on metal racking anchored in the soil on open land such as yards, fields, or unused property areas. | Installed directly on the roof using mounting brackets secured to roof rafters. |
Panel Orientation | Installers can position panels to face south and set the tilt angle to match local sun patterns. | Panels must follow the roof’s direction and slope, which limits orientation choices. |
Sunlight Exposure | Panels can be placed in open areas away from shade created by trees, buildings, or roof structures. | Roof features such as chimneys, vents, and nearby trees may create partial shading. |
Installation Work | Installation includes driving support posts into the ground, assembling racking, and trenching electrical conduit to the building. | Installation involves attaching mounting hardware to roof rafters and securing panels to the roof surface. |
Maintenance Access | Technicians can reach the panels from ground level for inspection, cleaning, and repairs. | Maintenance crews must climb onto the roof to inspect equipment or clean panels. |
System Size | The array can extend across available land, allowing larger systems with multiple panel rows. | System size depends on available roof space and roof layout. |
Expansion Potential | Additional panel rows can be installed nearby if electricity demand increases. | Expansion is limited once the available roof space fills with panels. |
Visual Placement | Panels appear within the yard or surrounding land and may be visible from nearby roads or neighboring properties. | Panels sit on the roof and remain less visible from ground level in many cases. |
Installation Cost Factors | Costs include ground preparation, support posts or concrete footings, trenching for electrical wiring, and mounting hardware. | Costs involve roof mounting hardware, panel installation, and electrical connection to the building. |
Roof Condition | Installation does not depend on roof age, roof strength, or roof orientation. | The roof must support the system and should remain in good condition for the life of the solar panels. |
How Much Space Do Ground-Mounted Solar Panels Need?
Ground-mounted solar panels need open land that receives direct sunlight throughout most of the day. When installers arrive, they will evaluate the available land to confirm that the solar array can sit clear of trees, buildings, and other objects that block sunlight.
Here’s what else you need to know:
Most residential solar systems range from 6 kilowatts to 10 kilowatts in capacity. A system of this size usually contains between 15 and 30 solar panels, depending on panel wattage. Modern residential panels typically produce between 350 and 450 watts each.
Each solar panel measures roughly 65 inches by 39 inches, which equals about 17.5 square feet of panel surface. Installers can’t place panels directly beside each other in ground arrays because the rows must remain spaced apart to prevent shading. For this reason, the total land area used by a solar array extends beyond the surface area of the panels themselves.
A typical 8-kilowatt ground-mounted system may occupy about 400 to 600 square feet of land. This estimate includes panel rows, row spacing, and access space for maintenance. Larger systems require additional land because there needs to be enough distance between rows to prevent shading during the winter months when the sun sits lower in the sky.
You should also consider future expansion when selecting the installation site. Leaving open space near the initial array makes it easier to add more panel rows later if electricity demand increases. This planning helps ensure that the solar installation can grow with the property’s energy needs.
Installation Timeline for Ground-Mounted Solar Systems
Installing a ground-mounted solar system involves several stages, each one preparing the property for the next phase of construction and electrical connection. While schedules vary by project, most residential systems move from evaluation to activation within several weeks.
Site Evaluation: Technicians visit the property to examine the available land and measure sunlight exposure across the proposed installation area. During this visit, they will identify trees, buildings, or terrain features that may cast shade on the solar array. The team will also inspect the electrical panel and review potential locations for equipment such as the inverter and disconnect switch.
System Design And Engineering: After the site visit, engineers will use the collected measurements to develop a detailed system layout. This design shows how many panels the system will include and how those panels will be arranged in rows across the property. The engineers will also create electrical diagrams that map the path electricity will follow from the panels to the inverter and into the building’s electrical system.
Permitting And Utility Approval: Once the design is complete, the installers will submit the engineering plans and electrical diagrams for review. Relevant authorities will examine these documents to confirm that the installation meets all structural and electrical safety standards.
Site Preparation And Foundation Installation: With permits approved, the installation crew will prepare the installation site. Workers will mark the panel layout across the installation area so each row maintains proper spacing. They will then drive steel posts into the soil or install concrete footings to support the racking system.
Racking Assembly And Panel Installation: After the support posts are secured in place, the crew will assemble the metal racking for the solar panels. Once the racking is complete, technicians will attach the solar panels to the structure and secure them in position.
Electrical Wiring And System Connection: With the panels mounted, technicians will begin connecting the electrical wiring that links the panels together. This wiring carries electricity from the solar array to the inverter, where the power is converted for use inside the building. Protective conduit shields the wiring as it runs from the array toward the electrical panel.
Inspection And System Activation: After installation is complete, inspectors will review the system to confirm that it meets electrical and structural safety codes. Once the inspection is approved, the utility will authorize the system to operate and connect to the electrical grid. The solar array can then begin generating electricity for the property.
Once these stages are complete, the system begins producing electricity whenever sunlight reaches the panels. The generated power flows through the inverter and into the property’s electrical system. From that point forward, the solar array supplies renewable electricity that can offset a portion of the building’s energy use.
Do You Have Questions About Ground-Mounted Solar Panels?
Ground-mounted solar panels give property owners a flexible way to produce electricity from sunlight. Instead of relying on roof space, the system uses open land to support the solar array. These systems do involve higher installation costs and require suitable land for placement, but over time, they can offset a portion of electricity purchased from the grid and support long-term energy savings.
If you’re considering a ground-mounted solar system, our team at Solair Green Energy Advisors can help you get started. We’ll evaluate your available land, measure sunlight across the proposed installation area, and recommend a system that fits your energy use and available land. For more information or to schedule a no-obligation estimate, call 302-841-1108 or fill out our simple contact form. Let us show you
