Is a Solar Panel Ground Mount System Right for Your UK Home? A Complete Guide

If you have enough land or a roof that is unsuitable, a ground mounted solar panel system can be an excellent way to go solar. Rather than attaching panels to a roof, a ground mounted system installs them on racks or poles in open ground so you can tilt and face them for the best sun exposure. This lets homeowners and businesses get more solar power when the roof is shaded, faces the wrong direction or is structurally fragile.

At Grid Neutral, we have experience installing ground mounted solar systems across Yorkshire and throughout the UK. In this guide we explain what a ground mounted system is, walk through the benefits, cover key practical and regulatory requirements including UK planning rules, and answer the questions we see most often from customers.

What is a ground mounted solar panel system?

A solar panel ground mount means the panels sit on frames secured into the ground rather than being attached to a roof. The panels are supported on metal frames placed in open land such as backyards, fields or courtyards. The supporting structure might use simple A shaped racks or poles to hold the panels at the ideal tilt and facing for maximum sunlight.

Because panels are separate from the roof, installers can aim them due south or to the best bearing and set them at the optimal tilt, often around 20 to 40 degrees in the UK. Ground mounted arrays are scalable, from a handful of panels for a house to multi kilowatt systems for farms or business sites. The basic idea is simple: use your land, not your roof, to generate clean electricity.

An example of a smaller ground mounted solar panel array Grid Neutral recently installed.

Benefits of a ground mounted solar system

Optimised sunlight

With a ground mounted system you can set tilt and direction precisely for maximum sunlight. Unlike roof installations that are fixed by roof slope and direction, ground arrays can be adjusted through the year to track the sun. That flexibility often gives higher electricity production.

Scalability

Ground systems are not limited by the roof size or shape. If you have a larger garden or field you can expand the array as needed. That lets you install more panels than any roof could support, limited only by how much land you want to use.

Easier maintenance

Solar panels at ground level remove the need for ladders or roof access. You can approach them for cleaning, inspection or repair. Ground arrays also benefit from airflow underneath, which helps them run cooler and more efficiently.

Solution for unsuitable roofs

If your roof is shaded, faces east to west, is thatched, or cannot bear extra weight, a ground mounted setup lets you go solar without altering the roof. It avoids many limitations that make rooftop solar impractical.

When is a ground mount a good choice?

• Your roof is unsuitable: If your roof is heavily shaded, faces east to west, or uses delicate materials, ground mounting often outperforms a rooftop array.

• You don’t have enough space: You need open, unshaded land for panels and clearance. A typical domestic array might require 20m² to 30m² or more including buffer space.

• You have a high energy demand: If your home, workshop or business uses a lot of power, ground mounting gives room for a larger system than the roof alone.

• You have plans to expand: Ground arrays are easier to increase later. You can add more racks or rows as your needs grow, without the need for erecting scaffolding multiple times.

Considerations and requirements

Planning permission

In England and Wales some small ground arrays may be classed as permitted development, but strict limits apply. Generally, ground systems over 9m², taller than 4m, or closer than 5m to a boundary will need planning consent. Listed properties and conservation areas have extra rules. Always check with your local planning authority - we can help with that process.

Space and layout

You need room not just for the panels but for their shade and for maintenance access. A 3 to 4kW array (around 10 panels) will often occupy 20m² to 30 m² including clearance. The site should be free from shading, especially in winter, and be relatively flat or easily graded. Steep or rocky ground may need extra engineering which can add extra cost.

Installation work

Expect more groundwork than for a rooftop system. Frames or poles are anchored into foundations or driven piles and cabling is trenched back to the building to connect the system to the building’s electrical supply. That adds labour, materials and complexity, so ground mounted installations usually cost more than roof jobs.

Costs

Ground mounted systems commonly cost 20 to 35 per cent more than equivalent rooftop systems because of frames, foundations and cabling. For a typical UK 3 to 4kW domestic system, installed cost often ranges from £10,000 to £15,000, excluding significant excavation. More complex setups, such as pole mounts, trackers or large commercial arrays, cost more. Always get detailed quotes.

Standards and certification

Use an MCS certified installer if you want to remain eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee. Installers should follow UK building and electrical regulations. Certification shows the system meets expected safety and performance standards.

Battery

Batteries are integrated in a very similar fashion to typical roof mounted arrays. Batteries can be installed at the location of the ground-mounted panels, or in the property close to the meter. Either would allow the array to work alongside the battery to maximise self consumption of the electricity generated.

Ground mounted solar for businesses and landowners

For farms, commercial sites or landowners, ground mounted arrays are often the default. Factories, fields or large sites can host arrays far larger than roof systems. Many UK solar farms are ground mounted and operators often add battery storage or export systems. Some use agrivoltaics, for example grazing sheep under arrays to get dual use from the land.

Planning rules still matter. Commercial installations over 50 kW usually require local or national consent, while smaller systems are handled through local council frameworks. We have carried out similar projects locally and can share case studies or support your planning application.

Next steps

A ground mounted solar array can be an excellent solution when roof mounting is not ideal or when you want a larger system. You will need to consider planning permission, land use and higher installation costs, but for the right site the long term gains in energy and savings are strong.

If you think a ground mounted array might suit your home or business, we are happy to help. Grid Neutral offers free site surveys and expert advice. Contact our team or book a survey and we will assess your space, explain planning requirements and provide a tailored quote. Together we can see if a ground mounted solar system is the right choice for you.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need planning permission for ground mounted solar panels?

Often yes. Under current UK rules a ground array qualifies as permitted development only if it is below 9 m², under 4m high, at least 5m from any boundary and not in a sensitive area. Most home scale systems exceed 9m² and will need planning consent. To be sure, speak to your local planning office.

How much do ground mounted solar panels cost?

They are usually more expensive than rooftop systems. Installation may cost 15 to 35% more. In the UK a domestic 3 to 4kW array might cost £10,000 to £15,000. A larger 10 kW system may be around >£20,000 (appropriately sized batteries are included in these estimates). Higher cost comes from frames, excavation and cabling, but ground mounted systems often produce more energy over their lifetime.

How much space do I need?

Each kilowatt of solar typically needs approx. 5m² of clear ground. A 3 to 4kW system will therefore need about 20m² including spacing. You also need clearance from trees, buildings or structures to avoid shading. A site survey will confirm the final layout.

Are ground mounted panels better than roof panels?

They each have pros and cons. Ground arrays let you control tilt and orientation, often increasing output and making maintenance easier. They are ideal when the roof is not suitable. But rooftop panels are usually cheaper and do not use land. For many UK homes a good south facing roof is still the simplest solution; choose ground mounting when roof options are limited or you want a larger system.

How long do they last and what maintenance is needed?

With proper installation, panels typically last 25 to 30 years or more. Racks and inverters have comparable lifespans. Maintenance is low and many owners find ground arrays easier to maintain than roof arrays: generally all that is needed is an annual clean and visual inspection plus occasional vegetation control.