When the roof can't carry the system you need, we build it on the ground. Aimed at true north and tilted for your land.
Ground or roof?
When the roof can't carry the system you need.
Solar panel mounting on the ground makes sense when the roof faces the wrong way. Ground installation also works when the site is shaded, has the wrong pitch, or is too small. Off-grid systems are sized for winter, so they often need more panels than a roof can hold.
The main advantage is control. We choose where the panels go, how they tilt, how big the array is and what holds it up.
Who it suits
Fred did a great job, clean and tidy, explained was he was doing along the process
Darcy J
East, west or south. A ground array can face true north, however the house sits.
Another spot on the block may get clear sun all winter.
A solar system sized for July can need more panels than the roof can fit.
Old iron, a weak frame, or a roof you'd rather not drill.
Big loads and three-phase power need a big solar array.
With spare land, adding panels is simple.
Why position matters
A ground mount isn't limited by the way your roof faces. We point the panels at true north. In Ballarat, true north and the compass are about 11 degrees apart, so we set out every array by true north.
less power in July from a west-facing array at the same tilt.
more power in July from panels tilted at 30 degrees than from flat panels.
of the best possible yearly output at a 30 degree tilt in Ballarat.
We size every off-grid system on what it makes in July. Getting the orientation and tilt right is how a ground install earns its keep in winter.
Modelled for Ballarat using PVGIS solar data.
Mounting options
Each mounting frame is set out on site. We aim it at true north and position it to suit your land, your shading, and whether you need the most power in winter or across the year.
The most common mounting hardware. One orientation, set for the sun you need most.
A few panels on a single pole. Handy for small arrays or ground that's hard to dig.
Rails on steel legs, tested as one system. Suits bigger arrays.
Posts driven into the ground. Quick to install on the right soil.
The best fit depends on the size of the system, your soil, how far the cable has to run, and whether you'll add panels later. Bigger systems can be split into several arrays, each set out to suit the land.
The frame is set out on site, lined up to true north and set to the right tilt before a single panel goes on.
Fixed or tracking?
Tracking frames and adjustable-tilt frames move to follow the sun. They can lift output. But they cost more, they have moving parts, and someone has to look after them. On an off-grid property, that's one more job to remember.
Fred's advice is to put that money into a few extra panels on a fixed frame. It usually costs less, makes more winter power, and there's nothing to service. It's the easier system to own, now and in ten years.
Side by side
A ground mounted system costs more to build than the same panels on a sound roof. Here's what you get for it.
| Ground mount | Roof mount | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Faces true north, however the house sits | Stuck with the way your roof faces |
| Tilt | Set at up to 30 degrees to suit the site | Fixed to your roof's pitch |
| Array size | Limited by land | Limited by roof space |
| Upfront cost | Higher. Frame, footings and a trench | Lower. Uses the existing building |
| Cleaning | At ground level. A hose and soft brush | Needs roof access |
| Adding panels later | Easier where land is free | Limited by the roof left over |
Want the full ground mount vs roof mount comparison? Read What Are Ground-Mounted Solar Panels and How Do They Work?.
Recent ground mounts
Each one was set out on site to suit the land and the winter sun.
Allendale Vic
Installing an off-grid solar system before construction is complete can be worth it, but only if the system is designed around the finished home's loads. This Allendale property used that window to run conduit, size the electrical room, and...
Haddon, Vic
Three separate ground-mounted Jinko 470W panel arrays power this 50kW off-grid system in Ballarat, with all cabling run underground through steel conduit. Two Victron inverters and a Pylontech battery system handle storage and power distrib...
Victoria · New South Wales · South Australia
PANO engaged 100up to power their remote fire-watching tower network across VIC, NSW, and SA. Each tower uses six 475W panels, Victron charge controllers and inverter, and two Pylontech US5000 batteries inside sealed IP-rated enclosures rat...
Ground-mount kits
Three-phase kits for farms, workshops and large homes. Smaller ground mounts are designed to suit the site.
Three-phase off-grid solar kit for farms, workshops and large homes using about 40 kWh a day: Sigenergy 2 x 15 kW inverters, 72 kWh battery storage and a ground-mounted 47.5 kW sol...
Three-phase off-grid solar kit for farms, workshops and large homes using about 40 kWh a day: Deye 3 x 12 kW inverters, 71.4 kWh battery storage and a ground-mounted 47.5 kW solar ...
Cost
Ground-mounted solar costs more than rooftop solar on a sound roof. You pay for the rack, footings and trench back to the house.
Panel count, soil conditions, footings, cable runs and travel distance affect the overall cost. We quote each ground-mounted solar system after inspecting the site.
Questions
Further than many people expect. The longer the cable run, the more it costs and the more power it loses on the way.
We size the cable to keep that loss low. The best spot is usually the closest one with clear sun all winter.
It depends on your council, your zoning and where the array goes.
We check what is needed before we start, so there are no surprises.
It depends on how many panels you need. Rows also need a gap between them so they don’t shade each other when the sun is low in winter.
We mark out the space with you on site.
The footings and the trench take the longest. Once those are in, the frame and panels go up quickly.
You’ll get a timeline with your quote.
They’re at ground level, so a hose and a soft brush usually do the job. No ladders and no roof.
Clean them early or late in the day, when the glass is cool.
Not always. If your roof faces north, has room and no shade, a roof mount usually costs less.
Panels on the ground win when the roof limits the system you need.
Keep stock clear of the frame and cables.
If animals share the paddock, we can fence the array or set the frame higher.
Yes, if there’s room. We plan for it when we set out the site.
A new row or a second array can then go in without starting again.
Get expert advice
Send us a Google Maps pin and a few photos of where the panels could go. We'll tell you if a ground mount makes sense.
From first enquiry to after-care: One small team designs, installs and looks after every 100UP system.
