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Looking to get ground mounted solar panels installed, but not sure if they’re suitable for your property? Our detailed guide covers:
Ground mounted solar panel systems aren’t as common as roof mounted setups.
There are a few reasons (which we’ll explain in detail below) why someone would choose ground mounted over roof mounted, including:
Whilst most solar panel installations happen on a property's roof, that's not always the most suitable installation area.
The most common issue homeowners face when installing solar panels, is having a roof that isn't a suitable pitch or orientation.
South facing roofs with a 30 degree tilt angle and no shading (from trees etc.) will ensure solar panels produce as much electricity as possible. Anything other than this is going to see a drop in electricity production.
(Source: Energy Saving Trust)
As an example, you'd expect a roof facing east or west (even with the same tilt angle) to produce 15-20% less energy than a roof that's facing due south, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Available roof space is also an issue, given solar panels are not exactly small. Expect an average 430w solar panel to be around 21kg in weight and 1.7m x 1.1m in size.
A typical home will need a 5kW solar panel system as a minimum. Put simply, you'll need 30m² of suitable roof space to make a solar panel installation work; many homes simply don't have this space available.
When it comes to roof suitability, space isn't the only constraint. Given a system will weigh in excess of 250kg including mounts, you'll also need a roof that can take this weight.
If you're worried about your roof's structural integrity, a ground mounted system might be the answer.
Check out our guide to see if your roof is suitable for solar panels.
The main benefit of a ground mounted system? If you have the space, once installed, it’s easy to add to, without having to commit to a huge investment upfront.
If you're a high energy consumption household, you’ll be able to get a small ground mount setup on day one. You can then add panels and batteries over time.
Our base cost for a 5kW roof mounted solar panel installation is just under £6,000. With a small solar storage battery included (which we’d recommend), expect the system cost to be just under £8,500.
But, a ground mounted solar panel installation is typically more expensive than a setup being installed on a roof.
Why? Because there's extra work involved, in the form of:
Put simply, you should expect to pay around 20% more for a ground mounted system than you would a roof mounted system.
So, if you’re looking for a similar system to the one we’ve mentioned above, expect to pay over £7,000. The costs rise exponentially as system size increases.
If you think you can use a roof mounted system, you’ll be able to save in the region of £1,000 plus. Check the exact price you’ll pay using our solar panel quote tool here.
And as a side-note; installations can take place on a flat roof if you have one that can take the weight of a solar panel system.
We’ve got a guide to flat roof solar panel installation here.
Not only do ground mounted solar panels cost more, they also need a larger installation area. This is due to the fact that more space is needed to access panels for cleaning and repairs. And larger spacing between each panel is required to avoid shading, due to their higher tilt angle.
Whilst a typical 5kW roof mounted system will likely need a 30m² area, a ground mount system will need around 50m².
So, you'll need to not only ensure you have a suitable installation area, but that the installation area is as close to your property as possible. The further the installation area is away from your property, the higher the installation cost.
Whilst most roof mounted systems get away without the need for planning permission, it's likely you will need permission to install your ground mounted setup.
Here is the criteria to determine whether or not you'll need planning permission:
For most properties, the 9m² rule is the issue. As we've already mentioned, the total space required by a 5kW system is likely to be in excess of 50m².
The safest thing to do? Email or call your local planning office to confirm whether or not you need planning permission.
Like a roof mounted system, the main benefit of ground mounted systems comes in the form of energy savings.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could save up to £650 per year.
(Source: Energy Saving Trust)
You can add both solar panels and batteries to your system over time with ease.
Essentially, you’ll be able to test a small setup to ensure it’s suitable, then scale it up slowly from there.
Whilst solar panels can be cleaned using the likes of water-fed-pole systems, it's awkward and not exactly efficient.
Cleaning solar panels at ground level is a lot easier than cleaning them on a roof. Maintenance becomes something you can do yourself, rather than pay for.
Many ground mounted solar panels come with an adjustable mount / frame. Essentially, you can adjust their tilt angle and orientation. This is going to lead to much higher efficiency levels than a roof mounted system.
By installing on the ground, you'll be putting no load on your roof. Whilst most roofs are able to take the weight of a solar panel system, the weight can put them under stress over time.
A lot of people wanting to ground mount PV panels live in rural areas. And for a lot of those properties, solar panels fitted on their land simply doesn't fit in with the look of their property.
Solar panels require a reasonable amount of space. And, that space needs to be open (not shaded by trees). For most people, that's the most valuable part of their land.
Bear in mind that the space you use for solar panels can't be used for anything else.
For the majority of systems that are ground mounted and are big enough to power an average home, planning permission is needed.
You won't need planning permission (in general) for a typical roof mounted system.
The biggest disadvantage of ground mounted solar panels is their upfront cost. Expect a basic system big enough to power a typical house to be in excess of £7,000.
To compare this directly to a roof mounted system, check out our clickable quote tool here.
If you’re unable to install solar panels on a roof (pitched or flat), ground mounted solar panels are worth it.
A solar panel system could save you up to £650 per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Yes. But you’ll need an MCS registered professional to buy and fit your panels if you want to take advantage of the 0% VAT and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme.
Without using a MCS professional, you won’t be able to export excess electricity back to the grid, which can be worth £100s per year.
Roof mounted panels are generally better. They offer the same advantages as a ground mounted system (electricity bill savings), yet they cost around 15-20% less.
Yes. Costs for solar panel batteries range from £2,495-£4,995 and they’re easily added to an existing system if you choose to invest in one at a later date.
And that’s it for our big guide covering ground mounted solar panel systems.
Get quotes on solar panel systems here.
Alternatively, check out our detailed guide to solar panel installation costs.
Try our free quote tool. You'll have your personalised quote in under a minute.
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