GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PANELS I

Most people think of solar panels as devices on their roofs. The familiar roof-mounted solar panels are accurate in many cases, but it's certainly not the only way people opt for integrated solar panels.

While there are certainly clear benefits to having solar panels on your roof, it's not as one-sided as some might think. Raising your panels up and out of harm's way also makes them less easy to maintain and clean. Depending on the situation, ground-mounted solar panels may be a better option than roof-mounted.

If you're considering installing solar panels for your home, cottage or other structure, there are a lot of things to research before you make your choice. Of course, everyone's situation will be different. Budget, open space, weather, climate - these all choose between roof mounts, ground mounts, and other solar panel configurations.

You should consider everything here when making your choice, but consulting a professional and actually taking the time to make a decision is the way to go. You don't want to rush into the ground or roof installation of a solar panel system and regret it.

What are ground-mounted solar panels?

At the most basic level, ground-mounted solar panels are what they sound like. They are solar panels that are not installed on roofs, utility poles or other existing structures. Instead, they are mounted on the ground with a racking system designed for that specific purpose.

Floor mounted panels can actually vary greatly in height. The stands themselves may be tall enough to allow you to walk comfortably underneath, or they may be just enough to provide a few inches of clearance. As long as the support structures are directly on the ground, they have still considered ground-mounted.

A solar farm is one of the most common everyday examples of ground-mounted solar panels you might think of. These are purpose-built solar power plants with acres of panels installed in open spaces to feed the grid, just like any other power plant.

This is one of the most popular configurations for solar farms for several reasons. First, they are most often built in areas with no other use. This means there aren't any usable roofs on the barren desert plains where they are found. Again, there's no reason to mount them on tall poles to avoid shadows, as nothing tall will interfere with their sunlight.

The main reason homeowners put panels on their roofs is to save space. When installing a ground-based solar system for your home, the number one consideration is open space. How many yards are you willing to give up to install ground-based solar panels? You can use our solar panel calculator to determine what space commitment you're looking for.

You'll also want to make sure you have somewhere you can install the panels to get good south-facing sun exposure. If the only area of your yard where you can install solar panels is even partially shaded from sunlight, you won't get the most out of your solar panels.

One unique ground-mounted racking system that offers homeowners the best of both worlds is a solar-powered carport. If you don't have a garage, you can install ground-mounted solar panels next to your home and leave enough space to park your car. Just like a standard traditional carport before a full garage, you can keep your car out of the weather and direct sunlight. However, you will also be powering your home!

Standard Ground Mount and Pole Mount Solar Systems

Pole solar systems are another option to consider when choosing a racking system for solar panels. Solar panels can be mounted on poles, providing height and sunlight exposure while taking up minimal space on the ground.

You may have seen column solar panels in specific applications, such as powering remote street lights or other uses that require isolated power. However, they are generally used for many of the same applications and you would use standard ground mounts with a few modifications.

You will often see pole mount systems installed as pole tops or pole side panels. The devices are exactly what they sound like, with solar panels either at the very top of the pole or attached to angled brackets on the side.

Extreme top systems are more efficient for typical home or commercial use. Depending on the situation, the number of panels that a single pole can support varies greatly. For larger numbers of panels, larger, stronger poles and racking systems need to be installed.

Some column-mounted arrays can be rotated to maximize year-round sunlight exposure. While this is certainly a benefit, it's a real problem for large commercial operations where even small percentages can add up to significant dollar value.

Pole mount systems can also be specifically designed for high wind and severe weather applications. Post-mounted panels can take almost anything a ground-mounted solar panel can take with a good enough system.

Anyone looking into some easy DIY solar solutions should consider pole mounts. A pole side mount system is more of a niche application than a system you use to power your home. However, they can provide limited but steady power quickly and cheaply in long-range applications.

Of course, pole mount systems do have a downside. Because they are located high up, they are difficult to reach for maintenance and cleaning, essentially presenting the same problems as roof installations. It is also much easier to expand the ground-mounted system in the future. With pole mounts, you may need to install another pole.

There are a few issues that can be avoided when installing a column system that can be avoided by installing a floor-mounted system. Basically, some types of ground are simply not suitable for poles that require a lot of penetration into the ground for stability.

If the ground is too hard, you won't be able to install a pole system at a reasonable cost. Ground-mounted solar panels may be the only viable option, regardless of the cost-effectiveness of either option.

You'll also save yourself a lot of trouble with maintenance. Floor-mounted systems are easily accessible for inspection, maintenance, and cleaning. Pole-mounted systems can be 20 feet or more high, and even the slightest maintenance can become a major undertaking.

While a pole mount system is unlikely to be damaged due to its safe location above the ground, any damage that does occur will be difficult to repair.