Is ground mounted solar cheaper than roof mounted?

Installing solar panels at your facility is no-brainer. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems allow you to take advantage of free renewable energy so you can save energy and money at the same time.

The question, though, is what type of commercial solar system should you install at your facility?

What is solar roof mount ?

A roof mount is the most common type of installation. This is when the solar racking, which holds the panels in place, is installed directly on the roof. Panels can be attached to flat or sloping roofs consisting of metal, shingle, or rubber materials.

Not all roof-mounted systems require penetration to be secured to the roof. If you have a flat room, a ballast mount is an option. These installations are secured by blocks that weigh the system components down.

What is solar ground mounted ?

A ground mount is when the panels are secured to a rack structure that is connected to the ground with steel beams or another type of metal post. Ground mounts can be installed in an open area or as a carport over a parking lot.

Ground mounts can be installed wherever the conditions are best for solar, making them a great alternative for someone who doesn’t have enough usable roof space or just prefer to not have panels mounted to the roof.

There is no ‘best’ solar panel mounting option. Much depends on available roof space, the pitch and facing of the roof and any restrictive covenants or planning issues related to roof mounting. Solar panels on the ground can work equally well as roof mounting but will obviously use up ground space which is often a premium over roof space.