Case Study: How Ground Mounted Solar Panels Slashed Energy Bill
Ground mounted solar panels gave Todd and Susan H. from Lincoln University, PA exactly what rooftop solar couldn'tway A to power their entire home without sacrificing a single tree on their property.
The couple had been looking to upgrade their farmhouse with a new PV solar system, but their home — nestled within a 10-acre property in the heart of the Pennsylvania countryside — wasn't exactly set up for a conventional rooftop installation.
The reason? Trees.
Not all solar installers have experience with metal roofs. Work with a team that knows the difference between standing seam and corrugated systems so they protect your roof warranty.
Putting solar panels on a shaded roof isn't just inefficient — it can make the entire investment less worthwhile.
Todd approached TerraSol Energies with the challenge, and the solution turned out to be simpler — and smarter — than cutting down trees or compromising on solar potential.
Ground Mounted Solar Panels: The Right Solution for a Shaded Roof
Todd and Susan H. from Lincoln University, PA wanted to update their farmhouse property with a new PV solar system.
The home, however, centered within their 10-acre property amongst the Pennsylvania countryside, proved to be less than ideal for making the best use of solar power.
Chiefly, several large trees cast a fair amount of shade on his home throughout the year. While the towering trees kept the house much cooler in the summertime, they would severely decrease the amount of electricity that could be produced via solar.
Todd approached TerraSol Energies, Inc., hoping to find a workable solution – and TerraSol had one. Instead of putting the solar panels on his roof, the panels could be neatly installed somewhere amongst his vast property.
Out of sight, out of mind, and working diligently behind the scenes to eliminate his electric bills.
Instead of forcing a rooftop system onto a less-than-ideal roof, TerraSol recommended moving the solar array off the roof entirely.
A ground mount system placed in the adjacent open field — just beyond a grouping of trees — would sit completely out of sight from the house while being perfectly positioned to maximize energy production year-round.
With the approval from Todd and Susan, TerraSol designed and installed a ground-mounted PV solar system that would support their home's electrical needs. The location they chose for the solar system was situated just beyond a grouping of trees in the adjacent open field of the property.
It would be out of sight from the house itself but would be well-positioned to maximize performance for year-round production.
A ground-mounted system offered benefits beyond aesthetics, as well; it allowed Tom and Susan to offset their home’s complete energy usage using 10% fewer panels than a roof system would have. The panels were installed in a completely unimpeded location, and TerraSol was also able to orient the direction of the panels to the optimal direction and tilt.
This allows the panels to capture the most possible sunlight year-round, even in the winter when the sun trajectory across the sky is low. In addition, the ground-mounted solar system caused minimal disturbance of the ground beneath it. Pole mounts safely anchor the panels to the ground without bulky and unsightly concrete-poured foundations.
As the homeowners enjoy the fruits of their solar system over time, a ground-mounted system will prove advantageous in one more significant way: it is very easy to access for maintenance.
In the unlikely event that the solar system needs servicing, the panels are easily accessible from the ground and can be quickly tested and replaced.
Finally, at the end of their life cycle, solar panels installed on the ground mount can easily be recycled and replaced without ever having to disturb the house.
With TerraSol’s help in solving the locational issues, Todd and Susan now enjoy a home that is 100% solar-energy-powered, without having to disturb any of their property’s natural beauty.
How a Ground Mount Solar System Works Without Cutting a Single Tree
There are a few different types of ground mount systems, and understanding the differences can help you figure out which one fits your property and goals.
Standard ground mounts are the most common choice. They use metal framing driven directly into the ground — no bulky concrete-poured foundations required.
The racking system holds the panels at a fixed tilt, and the whole structure is designed to be stable and low-profile. Standard ground mounts are straightforward to install and cost-effective for most residential solar projects.
Pole mounted solar systems are another option, where panels are grouped on top of a single pole structure. Pole mounts are often used when available space is limited or when the terrain makes standard ground mounting less practical.
Pole structures can also be paired with tracking systems — either single-axis trackers that follow the sun throughout the day or dual-axis versions that adjust for both daily and seasonal sun movement. Tracking systems can increase energy production meaningfully, but they do require more maintenance over time than a fixed tilt setup.
For Todd and Susan's property, a standard ground mount with fixed angle mounting was the right fit. It delivered excellent performance without the added complexity of tracking systems, and it kept the installation process clean and efficient.
Ground Mounted vs. Rooftop Solar: What You Should Know
Many homeowners naturally assume a rooftop solar system is the default. And for good reason. Rooftop systems utilize the existing structure of your home, which lowers the overall installation cost and typically involves a simpler permitting process.
Rooftop installations generally face fewer permitting restrictions than ground installations, and they don't require any yard space beyond what's already above your head.
That said, a rooftop system isn't always the better choice. If your roof doesn't have a good south-facing exposure, has significant shading, is older and may need replacement soon, or simply doesn’t have enough usable surface area for your system size, a ground mount solar setup can actually deliver better long-term value — even accounting for the higher upfront cost.
Here's the honest picture on solar :
Ground mounted solar systems cost roughly 51% more than comparable rooftop systems on average, with the average cost of a ground-mounted system sitting around $46,041 before incentives.
That premium exists because ground mount systems require more labor, more materials, and sometimes a structural engineer to assess soil type and determine the right foundation approach. Helical piles, for example, work well in sandy soils where traditional posts might not hold as firmly.
Despite the higher upfront cost, many homeowners find the ground mount system pays off in the long run — especially when the alternative would be a rooftop system that underperforms due to shade, orientation, or roof penetrations that create leak risk.
For a 7kW system, you're typically looking at around 414 square feet of space. A larger 10kW ground-mounted solar array covers approximately 624 square feet. You'll want to factor this into your planning when deciding whether your property has enough open land to make a ground mount practical.
Why Todd and Susan's Ground Mount Performed Better Than a Roof System Would Have
The real advantage of going with a ground mounted solar system for this particular Chester County home wasn't just about solving the shade problem — it was about doing it better than a rooftop installation ever could have.
Because the panels were installed in a completely unobstructed location with full control over tilt and direction, TerraSol was able to squeeze every bit of performance out of the system.
The result was significant: the ground mount system allowed Todd and Susan to fully offset their home's energy usage using 10% fewer panels than a rooftop system would have required. When you're paying per panel, that's a meaningful difference. Both in upfront cost and in the amount of space the system occupies.
Ground mounted panels also stay cooler than rooftop panels, which matters more than most people realize. Solar panels lose efficiency as they heat up, and panels installed on a roof tend to trap heat between the panel and the roofing surface.
Ground-mounted panels, with airflow on all sides, consistently run cooler — and a cooler panel is a more efficient one.
Beyond performance, there are practical advantages that add up over time. Ground mounted systems are significantly easier to clean and maintain than rooftop panels. There's no ladder required, no roof penetrations to worry about, and no risk of disturbing the roofing material during service visits.
Routine maintenance, such as cleaning the panels, inspecting wiring, and checking for wear, is straightforward and accessible. And in the unlikely event a panel needs to be tested or replaced, it can be done quickly without touching the house at all.
This ease of access also pays off at the end of the system's life. Solar panels typically last 25 to 30 years with proper care. When that day eventually comes, ground-mounted panels can be removed, recycled, and replaced without ever needing to disturb the roof or the structure of the home.
Curious whether ground mounted solar panels are the right call for your home? Request a free consultation from TerraSol, and let's look at your property together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space do I need for ground mounted solar panels?
A 7kW system typically requires about 414 square feet of open ground space. A 10kW system covers approximately 624 square feet. The exact footprint depends on your system size, panel layout, and the spacing required for your specific racking system.
Are ground mounted solar panels more expensive than rooftop solar?
Yes. On average, ground mounted systems cost about 51% more than rooftop systems, with an average pre-incentive price of around $46,041. The higher cost reflects additional labor, materials, and foundation work. That said, they often produce more electricity and require less maintenance, which can make them more cost-effective in the long run.
How long do ground mounted solar panels last?
With proper care and routine maintenance, ground mounted solar panels typically last 25 to 30 years — the same lifespan as rooftop systems. Because they're easier to access for cleaning and servicing, they may actually be easier to keep in peak condition throughout their life.
What's the difference between a standard ground mount and a pole mounted system?
A standard ground mount uses metal framing spread across multiple posts driven into the ground and is the most common choice for residential installations. Pole mounted systems group panels on a single pole structure and can be paired with tracking systems that follow the sun. Pole mounted setups can boost production but require more maintenance.
