Many residential PV systems are ground-mounted solar systems instead of installed on the home’s roof. The reasons for doing so can range from insufficient roof space to accommodate solar offset goals – to improving performance and efficiency objectives.
Mounting solar panels on the ground in a yard or field that receives sufficient sunlight throughout the day is common. Ground-mounted solar panels are typically installed on racks or atop poles. However, the costs of ground-mounted solar panels can be higher than roof-mounted panels, primarily due to the expense of racking, longer wire distances, and trenching. Fortunately, these costs qualify for the Federal Tax Credit, reducing the out-of-pocket cost by 30% in 2022.
Ground-mounted solar energy systems are prevalent in agricultural and commercial situations. Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems are federally funded programs available through the USDA solar grant and qualify for the commercial solar tax credit.
Solar panel installation costs are dependent upon several factors, including, but not limited to, installation labor, materials, number of panels, and quality of peripheral components. Ground-mount solar PV systems can be more costly than the average roof mount system.
For example, a yard solar system requires trenching and laying low-gauge wire from the panels to the home or business. Roof mounting does not require any ground trenching.
Calculating the number of ground solar panels needed for a backyard energy system involves determining the kilowatts required to power your home or business and then calculating the number of panels necessary to generate that electricity. This calculation is commonly referred to as the Offset of Energy Cost.
For example, according to experts, the average home in Florida uses 1,110 kWh of electrical current. To offset 90% of 1,110 kWh would be 999 kWh.
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Yes! You can install ground-mounted solar panels if you have enough open space and optimal sunlight.
Ground-mounted panels are easy to install, access, and service.
No. Ground-mounted panels typically require a base to be installed for mounting, which can increase the cost compared to rooftop panels, where the roof serves as the mounting structure.
Ideal locations for ground-mounted solar panels are areas with optimal sunlight exposure, free from shade or obstructions such as trees, buildings, billboards, signs, and walls. Additionally, the chosen area should be spacious enough to accommodate the number of panels being installed. For instance, each panel typically covers 18 square feet of ground space. Therefore, if you plan to install 20 panels, you would need approximately 360 square feet of ground space.
According to the National Electric Code (NEC), equipment grounding mandates proper bonding of ground wires to both the racking and PV modules. While smaller gauge wires can be used when conductors for the PV source and output circuits are sized correctly, it’s advisable to use a larger wire to mitigate damage from lightning strikes.