What are ground mounted solar panels

Basic Components of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels

A ground solar system have three big parts.

The sun boards themself. These are the parts that make power, each board usual have a power out between 400 and 600 watts. The front of the board is made of hard glass, with many layers of sun cells inside, while the back have a water-proof back and a box for join.

Mounting structure. This metal frame hold up solar panels, usually have uprights, crossbeams and diagonal braces. The mounting structure lift panels from ground and keep a tilt angle so panels get sunlight better. Mounting materials mostly hot-dip galvanized steel or aluminum alloy; both good for long time outside use without rust.

Foundations. The base part that hold the mount thing to the ground. Normal types of foundations got: steel piles, they get push into ground by a pile driver, quick to put in; concrete foundations, you dig a hole and pour concrete, more steady; and screw piles, they twist into ground like a screw, little harm to ground. Pick of foundation depend on dirt condition and size of work.

Installation Methods for Ground Mounted Solar Panels

Ground solar panels got two main ways to put them up.

Fix-angle put. The mount angle is set and no change after fix. This way has simple build, low price and less care. The angle is set by the place's latitude, usually from 20 to 40 degrees. Fix-angle put works for most jobs and gives best money value.

Angle can change when you set it up. The mount's angle you can fix by hand based on season. In winter, sun more low in sky, so panels tilt more up; in summer, sun more high, they tilt more flat. Do this change two to four times a year, it make power go up by 5% to 10%. Changeable mount cost a bit more than fixed one, but extra power make back the extra money over time.

Suitable Scenarios for Ground Mounted Solar Panels

Ground solar panels work good for these cases.

Not enough roof space. Many building roofs not big enough, or roof has equipment and pipes, so no room for solar panels. For these cases, put panels on ground is a good other way.

Roof not good direction. In the North half world, sun panels best put facing south. If roof slope go east or west, power make get a lot less. Ground put setup let you pick direction free, make sure panels face straight south.

Roof not strong enough. Some old building roofs can't hold big weight, putting solar panels up could be danger. With ground systems, no need think about roof weight problems.

Need a bigger system. Ground setups no limit by roof space and can make big to systems with many or even hundred panels as want.

Advantages of ground mounted solar panels

More power make. Ground put setups let panels turn to best angle and way, make 5% to 15% more electric than roof system same size. Also, air move better at ground, keep panels cool when work; as hot heat lower make power, ground systems do better in summer.

Putting in and keeping up is more easy. Workers put the frames and panels on flat ground, no need to climb high, so it is faster and more safe. Later jobs, like clean dust and bird poop off panels or change broken parts, are much more simple than doing it on a roof.

System get easy to add more. Want make more power later? Just put more frames and panels if have space near. But roof system hard, need take old stuff down and set up new way.

Disadvantages of Ground Mounted Solar Panels

Land use. Put on ground need open space, then can't do other things. In places where land is not much, this could be a problem.

Little more money at start. Ground systems need own mount stuff and base things, so they cost a bit more to put in than roof systems, mostly because of extra cost for digging or putting in posts. But this price gap is usually about 15 to 20 percent.

Site need do first. Before put in, weeds and rocks must get clear from place, and make flat maybe also need. If big trees on spot, they may need cut or move so their shadow no block sun panels.

Maintenance Requirements for Ground Mounted Solar Panels

Ground solar panels care is easy and mostly need do these things.

Clean regular. Dust, bird poop and leaves pile up on panels can cut power making. Usually, clean one or two times a year is good; do this by spray water on panels and no need any special tools. In dry, dusty places, more often clean may be needed.

Look at the hold-up thing. Each year check the bolts on the hold-up thing for loose and look at the metal faces for rust. Hot-dip galvanised things usually not rust, but if holes were cut or welding was done when putting in, the cut sides may need rust-stop.

Cut plants. Make sure grass and bush near the mount thing not get too tall, cause this may block the low row of sun panels. A small cut is enough.

A brief comparison of ground mounted and rooftop solar panels

Ground solar panels give good points for making power and easy put up, but they need land. Roof solar panels no take ground space, use roof space not used before, but put up and fix need work high up and have limits from roof shape and way it faces. Pick between them mostly depend on your own situation. If you got sunny, open place, ground solar panels usually be the better pick.