While many UK properties use rooftops for solar PV, ground mounted solar panels are an excellent option when roof space is limited or unsuitable or when you want to maximise your energy generation.
For homes and businesses across Essex, Kent, Suffolk and the wider South East, ground mounted solar systems are especially popular on farms, rural estates, commercial land and properties with large open areas. Domestic ground mounts are also possible with the right planning and design.
Do You Need Planning Permission for Ground Mounted Solar Panels?
In many cases planning permission will be required for a ground mounted system:
- Exceeds 4m in height
- Sits within 5m of a property boundary
- Has a total area greater than 9m²
- Is visible from the street in a conservation area or heritage site
- Is not the first solar array on the property
As most commercial solar arrays and many agricultural ground mounts exceed the 9m² limit, they almost always require planning permission. Local councils vary in their approach for ground mounted solar systems, but your chances can be improved by:
- Prioritising brownfield or unused land
- Using the space in a way that enhances biodiversity (e.g. wildflower planting, sheep grazing)
- Ensure the system is fully removable at the end of its life
How Are Solar Panels Installed on the Ground?
Ground mounted solar panels are fixed to a durable structure designed to hold them securely while optimising their pitch and orientation. Typical mounting options include:
- Metal A-frames anchored to concrete foundations or pile-driven poles
- Solar tracking systems that follow the sun
- Ballasted plastic bases suitable for low profile installations
- Timber frames which can double as shade structures or storage solutions
Panels are usually arranged in rows with adequate space between them to prevent shading and make maintenance easier. In the UK, south facing orientation presents the highest output for solar generation. Your solar system will also require trenches dug for cabling routes and a solar inverter.
Ground Mount vs Roof Mount Solar Panels
Advantages of Ground Mounted Solar Panels
- Maximum design flexibility, choose from the best angle, spacing and orientation
- Larger systems possible, ideal for high energy users
- No structural limits from roofs that may lack strength or space
- Easy access for maintenance and cleaning
- Improved panel airflow that increases efficiency
- Simple to expand as your energy needs grow
- Option to add a tracking system for higher output
Disadvantages of Ground Mounted Solar Panels
- Requires open land that might have an alternative use
- Harder to find unshaded areas in urban locations
- More visible
- Higher installation cost due to groundwork and materials
- Roofs naturally offer protection and insulation that ground mounts do not
Static vs Tracking Ground Mount Systems
Ground installations allow the option of adding a solar tracker, which moves the panels to follow the sun. This is used mainly on large solar farms, not smaller scale domestic or commercial arrays. A solar tracking system can increase output by 20% or more, but incurs higher upfront costs and more maintenance due to the moving parts.
Ecological Impact of Ground Mounted Solar Panels
When installed responsibly, ground mounted solar arrays can improve local ecology, not harm it. Benefits of a ground mounted system can include soil restoration, during the system’s lifespan, allowing the soil to recover from over farming or overuse. When ground mounted solar panels are installed, less than 5% of the ground area is actually impacted negatively, and it usually creates a microhabitat for insects, reptiles and ground nesting birds. In recent years, ground mounted solar panels have also been installed in fields that are used for grazing sheep, without any negative effects on the sheep.
Plan Your Ground Mount Solar Project Today
SolarTherm UK specialises in ground mounted solar panel installations across Essex, Kent, Suffolk and the wider South East, supporting residential, commercial and agricultural customers. Our team of solar experts can help every step of the way, from assessing land suitability, to navigating planning requirements, designing the optimal system for your property and maximising return on investment.
Contact SolarTherm UK today for a free, no obligation quote and design, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
