A Guide to Ground-Mounted Solar Panels

Investing in a solar energy system has become more economical and cost-effective, which makes now the perfect time to go solar now! Making that giant leap in managing your monthly electricity rate and decreasing your greenhouse gas emissions can make significant savings in the long run and help the environment.

Most property owners might think that when it comes to a residential solar energy system, the panels that capture energy from the sun will be mounted on the rooftop. Even though installing solar panels on roofs is the traditional and most prevalent approach, solar panels can be mounted by various means in different places. And one of the choices is the ground-mounted solar panels, which is a great substitute for a traditional solar rooftop setup.

Find out below to understand more about ground-mounted solar panels and how you can benefit from this kind of solar installation.

What Are Ground-Mounted Solar Panels?

As the name says, ground-mounted solar panels are solar energy systems installed on the ground of the homeowners' land, not attached to the roof. They are also popularly known as free-standing panels, ground frameworks, or backyard solar panels. They can be mounted wherever there is better area and coverage of the sun and with an adequate measure of an exposed area. However, the prerequisite will commonly be at least 350 square feet.

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The ground-mounted solar panels operate the same as the rooftop solar panel energy system. The solar panels collect the energy from the sunbeams and convert it into electricity to power up your property.

Types of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels Installation

When you opt to install solar panels somewhere other than the roof, your mounting method will generally fall into two categories: the ground or a pole.

Standard ground-mount solar panels.

The standard, traditional ground-mount solar system is the simplest and most highly economical way for a ground installation. An array of panels can be installed in various locations using off-the-shelf frameworks. The location is usually somewhere secure, like the backyard. Still, customization is becoming more popular with homeowners, so you might see solar arrays installed as carport covers or patio covers.

Pole-mount solar panels.

To install a pole-mount solar system, excavating a single deep hole is needed on the ground. Similar to a wind turbine, it will contain a big pole to which the rails will be connected, and the solar panels will be mounted on the rails.

What Are the Benefits of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels?

There are several benefits to installing a ground-mounted solar energy system, especially if the homeowner’s roof is not be the best place to mount solar panels. Maybe there are locations on the property that receive more sunlight than the roof, allowing them to generate more power, thus saving you more money.

1. Sunlight Exposure: Among the most significant benefits of the ground-mounted solar system is the freedom to choose the optimal sunny location and angle. The right direction and alignment of a ground-mounted solar system will maximize energy capture. Ground frameworks also enjoy more airflow, keeping the panels cooler than rooftop ones.
2. Cost-Effective: With the installation of a ground-mount solar system, the homeowners can choose the location without barriers or obstacles, such as tall trees or other structures that may block sunlight. This way, power generation can be maximized, which is more cost-effective for producing electricity.
3. Safe and Secure: Since the solar panels are mounted on the homeowner’s ground, the danger of possible damaged cables or faulty wiring in any solar energy system that can ignite a fire hazard will be a low compared to solar panels on the roof. And the ground-mounted solar panels contain separate electrical grounds instead of the one attached to the homeowner’s property.
4. Flexible and Accessible The ground-mount solar energy system is flexible should the property owners desire expansion in the coming years, like if they want to install a swimming pool or another big energy consumer. It will be easier to add more ground-mounted solar panels than it would be to expand a rooftop system.
5. Requires little maintenance: Every solar energy system requires regular checkups from the solar installer, and such inspections and maintenance are easier when the panels are on the ground. Accessibility is greater, especially when there is a need for a patch-up, which means a potential decrease in the cost of labor.

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In addition to those benefits, a home with a ground-mounted solar energy system should also enjoy the general 4% increase in property value that comes with such systems because even though the panels aren’t on the roof, they are on the property. Studies show that buyers will pay around 4% more for a home with solar energy.

How Do Ground Mounted Solar Panels Work?

Installing a ground-mounted solar energy system is different from rooftop solar panels. Here are key differences.

• While the racking system for rooftop solar panels is intended for a current frame or structure, the ground-mount solar energy system must be built. The elevation is off the ground, generally a foot high or higher.
• Regarding electrical wiring and security devices, rooftop and ground solar energy systems are the same. The primary variance is that the ground-mount solar energy system requires additional wiring because of its remote location.
• The solar panels you’d use are the same whether you mount them on the ground or the roof. Homes usually use 60-cell solar panels; solar farms require 72-cell panels.

Do-It-Yourself Ground-Mounted Solar Panel Installation

You might wonder if you can install a ground-mount solar energy system yourself. Of course you can! Considering the various supplies and equipment available in the market, homeowners can securely mount the solar energy system on their property probably easier than getting up on their rooftop to set one up.

But remember, although you are mounting it to the ground, it will be more complicated to install because you will need to utilize a block of concrete or probably a backhoe when attaching the panels. And don’t forget to secure all the required documentation and permits before the installation.

Is it Worth Installing Ground-Mounted Solar Panels on Your Property?

When you have a lot of land and want to save on the cost of energy, ground-mounted solar panels might be perfect for you. Since they are best in large spaces, most especially in locations with no impediments to receiving ample sunshine, they can be larger than would fit on the roof and will generate significantly more electricity.

Final Thoughts on Ground-Mounted Solar Panels

Ground-mounted solar panels are a perfect choice for property owners who want to go solar to saving on their electricity bills and help the environment by reducing their carbon footprint. Ground frameworks offer numerous benefits compared to rooftop panels. Although the ground-mount solar energy system might be a bit costly, it will provide the property owners with many choices of sunny locations, all the better to maximize power generation. Producing additional energy makes the investment worthwhile, saving you money in the long run.

If you’d like to explore ground-mounted solar panels more, we strongly advise you to find a reputable company in our highly rated network. With them you can discuss your best options in going solar! It will be beneficial to partner with a solar company that can show and guide you through the choices and the costs of investing in a home solar energy system.