A photovoltaic (PV) system that is positioned on the ground is known as ground-mounted solar panels. This is in contrast to a rooftop installation. They are frequently utilized for the large-scale generation of solar energy. These installations are also referred to as solar farms or solar fields.
Multiple solar panels are placed in rows and columns to make up ground-mounted solar panels. These panels are often installed on metal or concrete structures to keep them raised and oriented for the most light exposure. Utility-scale solar power generation, commercial and industrial solar installations, and community solar initiatives are just a few uses for ground-mounted solar panels.
They can be utilized for off-grid applications in distant locations where grid connection is not possible. Alternatively, they can be linked to the electrical grid to deliver electricity to the local power grid.
Ground-mounted solar panels provide the following benefits:
- Higher energy output is possible with ground-mounted solar panels. This is in contrast to rooftop installations, which may be constrained by shade or orientation issues. This results in increased efficiency.
- Ground-mounted solar panels are excellent for utility-scale solar power plants or commercial installations that need increased energy production. This is because they can be deployed in larger arrays.
- Ground-mounted solar panels don’t require roof space. They may be erected in a variety of areas, such as open fields, brownfields, or marginal lands, giving site selection more freedom.
- Because ground-mounted solar panels are put at ground level, they are often easier to reach and maintain than rooftop installations. This makes cleaning, inspection, and repairs more straightforward.
- Community solar projects enable numerous users or stakeholders to profit from the solar energy output. Even if they do not have solar panels placed on their own premises, these projects can employ ground-mounted solar panels.
Is it possible to place solar panels on the ground?
While the majority of solar panels are positioned on rooftops, ground-mounted solar panels can be used when a suitable roof is not available or when optimum and high-volume generation is required. Ground mounted PV is typically used for commercial buildings or utility solar farms because most personal homes don’t have a lot of extra land, however we do offer advice on what to take into account for domestic ground installations.
Do you require planning approval to install solar panels on the ground?
If any of the following apply to your ground-mounted array:
- it looks onto or is visible from a roadway, if in a conservation area or world heritage site
- it is more than 4m high
- it is less than 5m from the property line
- the entire array is greater than 9m2
- it is not the first solar array on the property.
You require authorization if any of these circumstances exist. Commercial ground systems almost generally require authorization since they are larger than 9m2, and this rule applies to both household and commercial installations. The likelihood of receiving approval relies on how supportive the local government is of solar. Taking the following actions will increase your chances of success:
- Promote effective land use, preferring undeveloped or brownfield sites over greenfield or agricultural sites. It is advantageous to combine the area with grazing or make efforts to boost biodiversity and animals.
- If the system is removed at the end of its useful life, make sure there will be little environmental damage.
On what surfaces are solar panels installed?
To hold the modules at the ideal angle for energy generation and to keep them protected from rain, wind, and snow, they must be fastened to some sort of framework. This structure could be one of the following: a ballasted plastic box just a few inches high; a metal A-frame fixed in a concrete base or on a pole driven into the ground; a solar tracking system (more on this below); or a wooden frame that could also serve as another structure for shading or outdoor storage.
To take advantage of the seasonal variation in the angle of sunlight, several of the frames allow you to vary the pitch of the panels. The panels can be arranged in either portrait or landscape orientation, as well as one height or stacked. When constructing a ground-mounted system, you may of course choose to face south, which is the best direction in the UK. The array’s infrastructure will include tunnels for cabling, inverters, and space between panels’ rows to accommodate shading.
- Significant ground-mounted PV
- Roof mount installations vs ground mount ones
Let’s analyze the advantages and disadvantages of ground mounts against rooftops in order to contrast the most common PV mounting techniques.
The Advantages of Ground Mounts
- A ground-based system allows considerably more freedom to build an optimized, larger system than a rooftop system since it is not constrained by the size, angle, or orientation of the existing roof.
- The weight or fasteners needed for a solar system may be too much for certain roofs to support.
- The choice to use a tracker to boost generation.
- Simple access for upkeep and cleaning.
- Greater efficiency thanks to more airflow around the panels than on a rooftop.
- If your energy requirements alter in the future, it will be simpler to expand the system.
- The shortcomings of ground mounts
- Occupies area that might be put to better use (unlike the wasted space on a roof), but the panels can be elevated higher to make use of the space below for grazing or animals.
- It’s more difficult to find unobstructed open space, which limits usage to rural areas like farms.
- Components are more susceptible to theft than those on a rooftop, and installation requires more labor and materials, which raises the initial cost.
- Rooftop panels offer an additional layer of insulation while shielding a portion of the roof from the elements.
Solar tracking system
The added weight of a solar tracking system would be too much for most roofs to support, but ground mounts can take advantage of the uplift that comes from following the sun as it moves across the sky. With a single axis or two axes, trackers utilize an electric motor to tilt the panels so that the sun’s rays are parallel to their surface throughout the day. Even while the mechanics add to the cost and upkeep, they can boost production by over 20%.
The Ecological Impact
Concerns with ground-mounted PV include how it may affect the local environment and ecology. But when built properly, it might really be advantageous to both. The PV system will give agricultural land a prolonged period of rest, letting the soil to replenish its nutrients.
Future system decommissioning will allow the area to be efficiently converted back to cultivation. With relatively little human interference, a ground-mounted array can offer a haven for wildlife. The Building Research Establishment estimates that less than 5% of the ground space in solar farms is impacted by infrastructure.
For insects, reptiles, and ground-nesting birds, solar panels provide safe havens. Through shade and concentrated rain runoff, they create microhabitats that sustain biodiversity. However, there are other things to think about when it comes to ground-mounted solar panels, such the availability of land, issues with land usage, and possible environmental effects.
Ground-mounted solar panel installations must consider critical factors such as proper permitting, environmental studies, and community involvement to be done ethically and sustainably.