Mounting systems are essential for the appropriate design and function of a solar photovoltaic system. They provide the structural support needed to sustain solar panels at the optimum tilt, and can even affect the overall temperature of the system.

Based on the selection of the solar mounting structure, the cooling mechanism will be different. Ground mounted solar panels will have better air flow from both sides, therefore, they will cool off easier than roof mounted panels, and this difference will affect the overall temperature control of solar panels and their efficiency.

Furthermore, the decision on the most appropriate type of the solar panel mounting system will also affect the final cost of the project. The installation of the roof mounting may even imply modifications to your house structure that could increase upfront costs.

Moreover, depending on the mounting system that you use, efficiency of the solar system can increase or decrease, as ground mounted systems provide better tilt maneuverability than roof mounted panels, and therefore, affect the total power output that your solar system will provide throughout the year.

It is important to know which type of solar panel mounting system is the best one for you.

Ground mounted solar systems

As the name implies, your solar system will be located on the ground.

The main advantage of ground mounted systems is that there is a wide range of options to choose from, depending on your location, your needs and the proposed design.

Ground mounted solar racking options you can choose from are:

#1 Foundation mounts

Foundation mounts are the most common ground mounted structures.

Their installation consists of preparing the land for excavation. Excavation is needed to put vertical pipes or mechanical tubing surrounded by a concrete foundation in place.

This installation requires the site assessment and geotechnical analysis of the soil to the determine whether it is strong enough to hold the mounted structure. Depending on the type of soil (crystalline bedrock, sedimentary rock, gravel, sand, etc.), the foundation pressure will differ.

So, the soil type determines whether concrete foundation, helical pile or ground screws are needed to anchor the solar system in place .

#2 Ballasted footing mounts

If the soil is not suitable for drilling or excavation, the best solution is to use a ballast mount system.

Ballast mounting consists of a pre-cast concrete block anchored to the ground.

#3 Pole mounts

Represent a simple and cost-effective solution to install small solar systems.

Solar panel pole mounts are ideal for residential purposes.

The advantage of pole mounting is that there is no need for creating a complicated foundation or level the land (necessary step for ballasted mounts). Instead just a simple steel pole with a concrete anchor is placed on the ground. This simple structure provides in general sufficient support to solar panels. In some cases, due to the unsuitable soil type or extreme weather conditions, special adjustments are required.

Among the available pole mounted schemes, you will often find Side Pole Mounts. These mounts are widely used for lightning purposes and very small solar panel installations.

Other option are Top Pole Mounts, which are generally designed with heavy steel mounting sleeves, elevation pivots and strong backs that allows them to endure hard weather conditions and support big solar panels arrays.

These structures allow to change the tilt angle very easily and come with a good variability range of 15° to 60° [3].

#4 Multi-pole mounts

These structures are based on the same principle as pole mounted ones. The only difference is that all solar panels are laid in a single horizontal line (instead of being separated).

This means that the solar system can be horizontally extended as much as desired with additional vertical pipe supports.

The advantage over other solar ground mounting systems is that these structures allow the installation of bigger systems with great and simpler tilt variability, needing only one adjustment for all the panels, unlike pole mounted which require adjustment for each set of panels, and do not require as many soil perforations as other traditional systems.

These systems are also ideal for carports or for shading purposes [3].

#5 SmartFlower

There is a new option currently on the market. It is known as a SmartFlower Solar System. It was developed as a ground mounted system that has a form of a flower with solar cells instead of petals.

The system opens each morning when the sun rises and closes in the evening.

The advantage of this option is high efficiency of petals. According to the product parameters, a 2.5 kW SmartFlower structure equals a typical 4 kW ground mounted system. The increased output is because solar cells are equipped with a dual-axis tracking system that ensures the optimum tilt angle to obtain the maximum irradiance. The downside of this technology is its high cost [4,5].

Regarding the installation of SmartFlower, it is far more simpler and faster (2 hours) than typical ground mounted systems, because solar cells and the mounting structure are already pre-assembled.

The installation involves:

The definition of the active area of the solar flower (typically a cube of 16 x 16 x 16 feet)

Drilling of 4 ground screws deep into the ground

Fixing of the anchor to the tower back

Placing the solar mounting structure over the installed ground screws

Connection to the wind guard structure and wiring.

Ground mounted solar system installation

To give you an idea of the installation process of a typical ground mounted system, here is a breakdown of the most important steps, particularly for a foundation mount type.

First, it is required to establish the design of the system:

Solar system dimensioning: Sets of 3, 4 or even 5 rows of panels. Depends on weather conditions and the electrical design.

Evaluation of the soil condition: If it is sedimentary rock, gravel, clay, etc. Then, deciding on the foundation type based on weather (wind and snow) conditions as well as size and weight of solar panels.

Selection of the foundation: Helical piles or concrete piers. Perforation of the ground will be required.

Selection of the mechanical tubing or pipe size and material: Aluminum, steel, etc.

Once design considerations are completed, the installation starts:

Excavation begins to create enough space for the concrete foundations or to place the helical piles.

The base of the mounting system is fixed to the grounding foundation with the use of bolts.

Vertical mechanical tubing or pipes are placed and fixed to the base. Folded pre-assembled structures can also be placed.

Installation of rails. Rails are attached to the structure.

Installation of cross rails is an option that depends on the structural design considered for the system.

Solar panels are adjusted into the rails with the use of middle and end clamps.

Now that we have covered the available ground mounting types and installation procedures we may proceed to the roof mounted option.