Ground Mounts vs. Roof Mounts

Roof mounts are less expensive because they use your existing roof structure as a foundation. They also take up less room on your property. Ground mounts take up more space, but they’re easier to access for installation and repair. They also give you greater control over the orientation of your array to maximize production.

Once you have your solar panels picked out, it’s time to decide which mounting system is best for your living space, budget, and energy needs.

There are two types of solar mounting options: roof mount and ground mount racking systems. Roof mount systems affix to brackets on your roof, while ground mount systems are built into a foundation at ground level.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each, and both mounting systems have their merits depending on your project specs. Explore our picks for the best solar panel mounts.

This article will dive deeper into what we think about when we recommend ground mount vs. roof mount racking to our customers.

But first, a quick summary:

Ground Mounted Solar Panels

Pros:

Easy to access

Easy to clean

Easier to troubleshoot

Stronger racking overall

System is not confined to the dimensions of the roof

Cooler panel temperatures mean higher energy output

No need to remove panels if roof is replaced

Cons:

Installation is more labor-intensive

Installation is more expensive

Requires more parts and pieces

Permitting process is more expensive

Takes up real estate

Roof Mounted Solar Panels

Pros:

Less expensive

Requires fewer materials to install

Installation labor cost is lower

Utilizes unused space

Easier to permit

Cons:

Hard to access – especially if your roof is steep or slippery

Harder to troubleshoot errors

Higher panel temperatures mean lower panel output

Space constraints on the roof limits the size of the system

Can be a hassle if you need to replace the roof within the panel’s lifetime (might install the system twice)

Why Go Ground Mount?

The Perfect Alignment

No matter what kind of solar system you’re considering, this much is true: every solar array works best when it’s able to get as much sunlight as possible.

If you live in the United States, you’re north of the equator, so the sun leans south as the Earth orbits. Facing your array true south will capture the most daylight and produce the best results. However, if you live south of the equator in South America, it would be more efficient to face your system true north.

Getting the perfect alignment can be a little tricky for a roof-mounted system. It isn’t likely that your roof naturally faces directly into the sun.

Ground-mount systems can face any direction you want. You can align your system at the optimal angle so it points directly at the sun. For that reason alone, ground-mounted systems are most efficient, as they maximize access to the sunlight that powers the array.