Rooftop vs. Ground Mount Solar: Which is Best?⚡Pros & Cons

Posted 17 Dec

Rooftop vs. Ground Mount Solar: Which is Better? Pros & Cons

Depending on where you are in Australia, you may be curious to know if a Rooftop or Ground Mount solar system is a better option for your property. Whether you’re a business or a homeowner, both systems have their respective benefits which provide pros and cons for a variety of properties.

What’s a Ground Mounted Solar System?

We don’t need to talk about what rooftop solar systems are as they’re all around us, but ground mount solar systems are a little less common, at least in NSW where we are.

Ground mounted solar systems are typically solar arrays that are fitted on metal structures that are mounted by poles which are secured into the ground with concrete. These ground mounts can be adjusted in height, tilt, and rotation to best suit the environment and the sun’s direction for optimal exposure.

Similar to a common rooftop solar system, the solar panels are also secured with rails and brackets that hold the panels in place, however, the structure that it is attached to, is not the roof.

What are the Pros and Cons of Rooftop vs. Ground Mount Solar?

As mentioned before, both types of solar systems will have their time to shine in certain circumstances. Here are a few pros and cons for both Rooftop Solar vs. Ground Mounted solar systems.

	PROS	CONS
Ground Mounted Solar	Because of how close to the ground the system is mounted, the panels and electrical elements are easier to inspect, clean, maintain, and repair. Whilst a quality installer should properly seal holes, ground mount systems don’t need to drill holes into your roof, so it minimises risks. If you own a farm, ground mount systems are great for agrivoltaics (more on this later). You can add solar trackers which tracks the sun throughout the day, maximising your energy production for longer. A ground mount system can be oriented and tilted to optimal angles for the sun’s trajectory. As most remote homes have limited roof space, ground mount systems allow both on and off-grid properties to expand their solar system to their desired power requirements. It allows properties to take advantage of spare/vacant land.	Ground mount is less accessible for suburban homes in NSW. Additional structures are required to mount the ground solar array to. Generally more expensive than rooftop solar as trenching and platform development is needed. Higher vulnerability to elements like flooding, dirt, and interference from animals and people. Seen as less aesthetic for homes
Rooftop Solar	Because rooftop solar is available to most homes, it means it will be the better option for most suburban homes wanting to add solar to their house. For the easiest experience and the simplest way to add solar to your property is on your roof. Because all homes already have rooftops, your installers don’t have to create a structure to mount your solar system to. Without solar, your roof is just empty real estate. Systems mounted on rooftops are generally cheaper to install than ground mounts. Solar installed on the roof is more protected against unwanted elements like flooding, dirt, and interference from animals and people. Rooftop solar is typically more aesthetic for homes. Unless your house is completely pink, it’s safe to say it would match the style of your home. Having panels on your roof adds another layer of protection against harsh weather.	Holes need to be drilled into your roof to install mounting. (However, quality installers should waterproof and seal holes properly). Rooftop solar is harder to inspect, clean, and maintain, especially on double storey homes. You can only get limited access to tilt adjustments for production optimisation. Limited real estate for large solar systems and expansions. Solar panels on roofs will have less airflow to cool panels down which the heat may result in lower panel efficiency.

When is Ground Mounted Solar better than Rooftop Solar?

Considering the pros and cons of ground mount solar systems, there are realistic situations where ground mount systems just make more sense to install compared to solar on your roof.

When you’re Off-Grid

If you own a remote property with limited or no access to grid electricity, you’re likely going to need an off-grid system. Not every rooftop will have enough room to fully produce the power you require.

By installing a ground mount system, you can power your home with an expandable system that can also be scaled to your energy requirements, allowing your property to have adequate solar production.

You want Additional Solar but have no more Roof Space

Imagine you maxed out your roof with solar panels, and you love your self-generation so much that you want more. How do you expand your system?

By adding a ground mounted solar system to your property, you can expand your system to what your consumption habits and energy goals require. Think of it like a mini solar farm for your backyard.

Ground Mount Solar for Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics is the combination of agriculture and photovoltaics. It’s the coexistence of solar and agricultural farming on the same land to maximise production and benefit each other.

By using ground mounted solar systems on paddocks or large open areas, it not only provides shade for cattle and other animals but can also generate renewable energy to power machines and other consuming devices that contribute to the farms operations. It also minimises water evaporation from the soil which reduces the need for water irrigation.

For example, we visited a chicken farm which uses a high amount of electricity for fans and other equipment for the uptake of the chicken’s wellbeing. This could be further offset with ground mount solar systems and can also add shading for free range chickens.

Your Home’s Roof May Not be Suitable for Solar

There are situations where homeowners can’t get solar for on their roof for a few reasons making ground mount the better option.

Structural issues

Your home’s roof structure may not be strong enough to support the weight of a solar system. Some older homes may have certain deterioration or damage that disallows such a heavy installation.

Shady Situation

Your house may be surrounded by trees or other tall buildings which would cover the panels and greatly reduce your production. A ground mount could be a good way to get extended solar exposure.

Wrong Facing & Tilt

If your roof faces are facing the wrong way, it may reduce your home’s generation potential. Depending on designs, it may make more financial sense to get a ground mount solar system installed.

When is Rooftop Solar Better than Ground Mount Solar?

With rooftop solar contributing to 11.3% to Australia’s entire electricity generation in the first half of 2024, it is definitely a popular way to start harnessing free energy from the sun.

Here are a few reasons why you should get a rooftop solar system instead of a ground mount system.

Higher Accessibility

Not all solar installers provide ground mounted solar solutions in-house.

By looking into rooftop solar, you instantly gain access to a larger range of installers compared to if you were just looking for solar installers that also do ground mount. (There’s not many of us!)

Existing Roof Space

Because your roof, is well, already there, adding a solar system doesn’t require much in addition to the system itself in terms of the installation. You’re just taking advantage of roof space that would otherwise just sit in the sun and do absolutely nothing.

Better Suitability

Most suburban homes don’t have much room for a ground mount system in their backyard. Whilst it is accessible for some, the majority of homes will only need the amount of solar that their roof can fit, if not, less. If you want to add a ground mount system to your backyard, we definitely recommend getting the wife’s approval first!

What’s the Cost Difference between Rooftop vs. Ground mount?

Considering that both systems use panels and racking, ground mount solar is more expensive due to the additional mounting needed and the corresponding trenching and other works. This extended labour will cost more to install.

If you’re willing to spend that bit more, a ground mounted system will allow you to generate even more solar. They can both also be paired with diesel generators and battery storage.

Is Ground Mount Solar Worth it?

Depending on your consumption, ground mount solar can definitely be worth it if you have the vacant space to accommodate it.

We have installed a number of ground mount systems, in which most of them were off-grid. Because these properties are completely disconnected from the grid, they need appropriate electricity generation which in this case is solar. By having a large solar system, they can produce more than enough electricity to store in their batteries for later use.

Not every house will have the roof space for a solar system, so having an option to put solar on its own structure is useful!

Conclusion

Overall, we recommend both systems to various homes and businesses who are wanting to find the optimal electricity generation possible. By investing in solar on either your roof or on the ground, you still offset your daily energy usage, and when compared with a battery, completely offset your overall energy consumption with complete renewables.

Rooftop & Ground Mounted Solar Experts

Our team have extensive experience in designing and installing both rooftop and ground mounted solar solutions for homes and businesses across Newcastle and the Hunter. Our in-house team of expert engineers, designers, and installers can help you find the optimal solution for your property whether you are on or off-grid.

Get expert consultation and quoting for free today and understand how you can make the most out of your energy.

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