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Not all roofs are great for solar. Whether yours is too sloped, only has space on the north side, or isn''t the right material, you might not be able to get rooftop solar. If you have large, sun-drenched yard, a ground-mounted solar panel system could be a great alternative.
Ground-mounted solar panel systems usually cost about 20% more than rooftop solar. You need a lot more equipment, which adds up. But ground-mounted panels also let you dial them into exactly the right direction and angle to maximize sun exposure, which can increase your electric bill savings over time. You can even install tracking systems so your solar panels follow the sun throughout the day.
Even with a big yard, ground-mounted solar setups aren''t for everyone. They take up a lot of space and require specific soil conditions. We''ll go over the details to help you decide if they''re right for your home.
Ground-mounted solar panel installations cost about $42,140 after the federal tax credit. They''re usually more expensive than roof-mounted systems but can maximize your renewable energy production depending on your roof''s orientation and shading.
Your available space, the system cost, and electricity consumption are all important considerations when deciding between a roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar installation.
As the name suggests, ground-mounted solar panels are mounted to the ground, rather than a roof. In most cases, it''s easiest and most cost-effective to get a rooftop solar system. But if rooftop solar won''t work for your home, ground-mounted systems offer some clear benefits.
With rooftop solar panel systems, the characteristics of your roof directly impact the production of your system. If your roof isn''t at the right angle, doesn''t face south, or has obstructions like chimneys or skylights, your solar panels won''t generate maximum electricity.
With a ground-mounted system, you can choose the orientation of your solar panels to increase energy production. Ground-mounted systems also tend to operate more efficiently because they have more air circulation beneath the panels, allowing them to stay cool.
Gound-mounted solar panels are easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance. If you live in an area that receives a lot of snow in the winter, being able to sweep it off your solar panels quickly is a major convenience. The same goes for high dust or debris areas.
Electrifying your home with heat pumps, electric vehicles, and other upgrades can shrink your carbon footprint and energy costs, but your electricity consumption will increase. If your home uses a lot of electricity, you''ll need a big roof to accommodate a big solar panel system.
With most ground-mounted solar panels, you can more easily size your system to match your electricity consumption without the same space restrictions as a rooftop system.
Based on thousands of quotes from the EnergySage Marketplace, the average home ground-mounted solar panel system costs about $60,200 before incentives. But because most homeowners qualify for the 30% federal tax credit, you should expect to only pay $42,140 upfront. Interest rates will increase the price tag if you choose to finance your system with a loan.
This number assumes a system size of 17.5 kilowatts (kW), the average we see for home ground-mounted systems on EnergySage. It''s also based on the average cost-per-watt of home ground-mounted systems, $3.44/W.
Compared to rooftop solar panel systems, ground-mounted solar panels are more expensive. Rooftop solar systems use an existing structure for mounting, which eliminates the need to create mounts like pole structures or cement foundations. But if you need a lot of roof renovations for solar, the costs could be pretty similar.
Home solar panel systems—including rooftop and ground-mounted ones—cost an average of about $21,000 after the federal tax credit based on an average system size of 10.8 kW. That''s about $2.75/W before incentives, or around 20% lower than ground-mounted systems.
Free-standing solar panels are also more prone to damage due to wildlife or people tampering with the equipment. This damage can lead to some expenses over time that you wouldn''t get with rooftop panels.
Ground-mounted systems are a great choice if your roof isn''t suitable for solar. They don''t require drilling into your roof and you can set your solar panels at the perfect angle and orientation to optimize energy production. Over time, ground-mount solar will usually generate more electricity (and save you more on your electric bill) than a similarly sized rooftop system.
To get the most out of your ground-mounted solar panels, you can also install trackers that follow the sun throughout the day. Trackers come with additional costs, but the additional electricity production can make them worth it.
Standard ground mounts use metal framing driven into the ground to hold your solar panels up at a fixed angle. Operators can manually adjust some standard ground-mounted solar panel systems a few times a year to account for seasonal shifts of the sun.
Pole-mounted solar systems support multiple solar panels on a single pole and elevate panels higher off the ground than a standard ground mount. Pole-mounted solar often incorporates solar tracking systems, which automatically tilt the solar panels to capture the optimal amount of sunshine.
Tracking systems can increase the production of your solar panels by 25% or more. If you add trackers to your ground-mounted solar array, you can choose either a single- or dual-axis system. Single-axis tracking systems move your solar panels to follow the sun as it moves through the sky. Dual-axis tracking systems can also adjust based on seasonal variations in the sun''s position.
Typically, ground-mounted solar systems use 60-cell photovoltaic panels, similar to rooftop installations. Considerations like efficiency, price, and warranty are essential when comparing options. To learn more about which panel to choose for your ground-mounted system, check out our list of the best solar panels, which breaks down some of the top solar panel brands available today.
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