Chester County Homeowner Gets Manually Adjustable Ground Mount Solar Panels

When Tim C. from Lincoln University, PA decided to go solar, he didn't just want manually adjustable ground mount solar panels — he had a specific vision for what the whole system should look like, and he wasn't willing to compromise.

Tim owns a multi-acre property and has more than enough ground space to work with. Most homeowners in his position would have gone with a standard residential solar system on the roof. Tim had a different idea.

Why Manually Adjustable Ground Mount Solar Panels Made Sense for Tim

Tim C. from Lincoln University, PA has lots of land on his multi-acre property. He decided it made sense to utilize a small portion of it for solar panels and came to TerraSol for the job – and he already had a vision of what the system should look like.

Traditionally, our recommendation for a space like Tim’s would be a driven pole, continuous ground mount array. This setup would look like a pitched system of solar panels, in 6 rows by 8 columns.

The array would have been only about 2ft. above ground level. The ground underneath this array would be unusable space, so we would recommend a form of ground cover like crushed stone to keep weeds under control.  

Tim, however, had something a little different in mind.

His vision consisted of 4 separate “solar trees.” These would resemble treetops or flowers made up of solar panels, giving the appearance of “sprouting” out of the ground to capture the sun’s energy for good use.

The ground-mounted solar panels would be mounted to a single pole that would reach a total height of 15ft and be raised about 6ft off the ground, allowing for total access to the ground beneath.

A special feature of this revolutionary design would incorporate the ability for Tim to manually adjust the tilt angle of the solar panels.

Why was this so important? Because the tilt of the solar panels towards the sun plays a major role in maximizing the power performance of the solar panels. If the panels’ faces are perpendicular to the sun, it minimizes the sunlight’s reflection on the panels, thus capturing the most possible light for the longest amount of time.

Tim (and TerraSol) is located in the Northeast, far away from the equator. In the winter, the sun is low in the sky even at mid-day, while in the summer the sun is high in the sky at mid-day.

This simple change in the angle of the sun throughout the year contributes to significant power loss throughout the day for “fixed-tilt” solar systems like those on a residential rooftop.

The ability to manually adjust the tilt of the panels allows homeowners to create peak performance of the panels all year round, increasing annual solar production and savings. A manually-adjusted solar system is expected to produce 5-7% more power throughout the year than a fixed-tilt system.

A ground mount system with the ability to adjust the tilt angle changes that equation entirely. Adjustable mounts can tilt solar panels anywhere from 20 to 76 degrees. That range lets you chase the sun across seasons, and it makes a measurable difference in output.

TerraSol worked with Tim to accommodate his unique vision, and he is thrilled to now have the solar system of his dreams. He plans to keep a close eye on his system’s performance and enjoys researching the best angles every few weeks so he can ensure he gets the most out of his solar investment.

Read about our: How to Get Solar Panel Permits in PA

Tim's Vision: Solar Trees Instead of a Standard Array

Tim didn't want a flat array sitting close to the ground. He came to TerraSol with a concept already in mind: four separate "solar trees."

Each solar tree would consist of panels mounted to a single pole, rising to a total height of 15 feet, with the panel canopy starting at 6 feet off the ground. From a distance, the setup would resemble treetops or large flowers — panels fanning outward from a central pole, appearing to grow up from the ground to capture solar energy.

The design had a practical benefit beyond the visual. Because each unit sits on a single pole mount raised well above grade, the ground beneath stays completely accessible.

No crushed stone, no dead space. You can mow under it, walk through it, or use the space however you want. The footprint of each pole is minimal — anchored with a concrete foundation for stability, which is standard for any ground-mounted system of this type.

It's a setup that's both functional and, frankly, unlike anything most people have seen in a residential installation. If you're curious what ground-mounted systems can look like, the TerraSol residential project gallery has a range of examples from across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

How Manual Tilt Adjustment Works

The ability to manually adjust the tilt of the panels was a key feature of Tim's system, and it's worth understanding why it matters.

Solar panels produce the most power when the sun's rays hit the panel face at a perpendicular angle. When the panel is perpendicular to the sun, it minimizes reflection and captures as much light as possible for as long as possible.

When panels are tilted at the wrong angle, either too flat or too steep relative to the sun's position. You lose output.

The sun's position in the sky changes throughout the year based on your latitude. Here in the Northeast, that change is significant. A panel angle that's close to optimal in June will underperform in December if it isn't adjusted.

The mechanism typically features adjustable telescoping legs or sliding pins with a locking bolt or screws that hold the frame in position once you've set the angle.

It's not complicated to operate — you adjust the tilt, lock it down with bolts or rails, and you're done. The process is convenient enough that most homeowners can handle it without professional help.

The optimal tilt angle for your location corresponds roughly to your latitude. For the Lincoln University, PA area, that's around 40 degrees as a baseline. From there, you adjust seasonally:

• Summer: Lower the angle (more horizontal) to face the high midday sun

• Winter: Steepen the angle toward vertical to face the low winter sun

Seasonal adjustments are typically made 2 to 4 times a year — spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each adjustment takes minutes. The payoff is real: a manually adjustable system is expected to produce 5–7% more power throughout the year compared to a fixed-tilt setup.

In winter specifically, optimizing the tilt angle can increase energy output by up to 40% over a fixed system at the same location.

There’s also a bonus in winter weather conditions: a steeper angle in the colder months helps snow slide off the panels on its own, reducing the need to clear them manually. High winds are worth factoring in, too.

The locking mechanism needs to hold the frame secure under pressure, which is why concrete anchors and properly torqued bolts matter at install time.

For more on how to get the most out of your system throughout the year, read: How to Maximize Your Solar Power System and The Effects of Winter on Your Solar Energy System.

Ground Mount vs. Roof Mount: What You Should Know

Not every property is set up for a roof installation, and not every homeowner wants panels on their roof. A ground mount system is worth considering seriously if you have the space.

Ground-mounted systems can produce more energy per watt installed than roof mounts.

Here's why: on a roof, your panel angle and orientation are determined by the pitch and direction of the roof.

You might have a south-facing roof at a good angle — or you might not. A ground mount gives you full control over both the direction (ideally south-facing for maximum annual output) and the tilt.

Ground mounts also make access easier. Cleaning the panels, inspecting connections, checking the array for damage — all of it is simpler when the panels are at ground level rather than on a roof. If you ever need to add more panels in the future, a ground mount array is typically easier to expand.

The tradeoff is space and cost. A ground mount system requires a concrete foundation, and the materials and labor for the pole, frame, and anchoring add to the project price compared to a basic roof install.

Manually adjustable ground mounts, however, are often more cost-effective than automated tracking systems that do the same job mechanically. If you're willing to make a few adjustments per year yourself, you get most of the benefit at a fraction of the price.

Fixed Tilt vs. Manually Adjustable vs. Automated Tracking

For most residential ground mount owners who are paying attention to their system, a manually adjustable setup hits a good balance between cost and performance.

Have a property in Chester County, PA, or the surrounding Tri-State area, and want to explore what a custom ground mount setup could look like for you?

Contact TerraSol or request a custom solar proposal — and if your situation is specific, feel free to ask our experts directly. The best way to figure out what’s possible is to talk through your location, your property, and what you actually want from the system.

Because manually adjustable ground mount solar panels aren't the right fit for every property — but when they are, they're one of the better investments you can make.