Are ground mounted solar panels worth installing? Yes, says our renewables expert - but make sure you know the pros and cons

"While not as common as roof mounted panels, solar PV generation is all about sunshine, so if it's not possible to mount panels on the roof of the home, then it may be best to look at a ground mounted system located away from the home - but in an optimum position. Renewables energy expert, David Hilton is here to explain everything you need to know about ground mounted solar panels, ranging from the reasons why you might need to consider them, through to how they work and their pros and cons."

"Solar PV panels need to ideally face south at a pitch of around 30° to 40° depending on where you are in the country. If your roof faces in the right direction and is big enough to accommodate around 10 panels on unshaded roof space, then this is usually the ideal location for the solar panel installation, for a number of reasons."

Ground-mounted solar panels offer an alternative when roof-mounted PV is impractical or impossible. Optimal PV performance requires a south-facing aspect and a pitch around 30°–40°, with sufficient unshaded area for roughly ten panels. Roof installations usually avoid planning permission and are widely used, but roofs with thatch, brittle tiles, irregular contours, wrong orientation, shading, listed status, or sensitive architecture may be unsuitable. Ground-mounted systems can be sited and angled optimally away from the home to maximize sunlight. They provide flexibility in placement and tilt but can require additional groundworks, mounting structures, and potential permissions depending on site conditions.

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