Ground-mounted solar - when the roof isn't the answer

Most solar installations end up on a roof. But there are plenty of properties where ground-mounted panels are a better fit - or where they complement a rooftop array to give you more generation than the roof alone could provide.

We install ground-mounted systems regularly across Greater Manchester, both on domestic gardens and on commercial sites with available land.

When ground-mount makes sense

Common reasons we end up recommending ground-mounted panels:

A real ground-mounted job (M43)

One of our customers in M43 had us install a complete energy setup including a ground-mounted system in the garden. Here's what they had to say:

"Ashley did an excellent job installing the solar panels on my roof, the batteries next to my driveway, and the ground-mounted solar setup in my garden. As someone who likes everything to be perfect, I can say he did it exactly how I would have done it (if I had the experience). I highly recommend him to anyone interested in installing solar panels and battery storage."

That's the pattern: roof panels for what fits up there, ground-mount in the garden for additional generation, batteries by the driveway. Different parts of the same system, all working together.

Commercial ground-mount

Ground-mounted systems are a strong option on commercial sites with spare land, grass verges, or outdoor space. They work particularly well for:

Domestic ground-mount

For homeowners, the use case is usually one of three things:

  1. Roof isn't viable - listed building, conservation issue, structural concern, shading
  2. More generation needed than the roof can support - belt-and-braces approach with both roof and garden arrays
  3. Aesthetic preference - panels you don't see from the front of the house

We design domestic ground-mount installs to suit the garden - frame heights, clearances, planting around the array - so the system fits the property rather than dominating it.

The technical bits

Ground-mount frames are anchored either by ground screws or concrete footings depending on soil conditions and array size. We do all the cabling back to the consumer unit (or a separate fuse board for outdoor work) using armoured cable rated for outdoor installation.

We use quality DMEGC and Trina Vertex panels - both N-type modules that perform well in our northern climate and come with long warranties. Battery integration is straightforward; we typically pair with Solax or AlphaESS systems where battery storage is part of the design.

Planning permission

Permitted Development for domestic ground-mounted solar in England has tight limits - in particular a maximum panel area of around 9 sq m and a maximum height of 4m, with a 5m boundary distance. Most domestic arrays bigger than a few panels exceed those limits, so will need a planning application. Conservation areas and listed buildings have additional restrictions. We'll talk you through what your specific install will need, and we handle building control notifications and DNO (grid connection) applications as part of every project.

Installation process

A qualified electrician (Ashley) assesses your property and the proposed install location - not a salesperson. We design the system around your usage and the available space, give you a fair quote with no hidden costs, and complete the install with minimal disruption.

We work with local roofers, scaffolders and groundworkers on every project. After commissioning, we handle the grid connection and Smart Export Guarantee setup so any excess generation earns you income.

Why work with us

Coverage

Based in Prestwich, we install ground-mounted solar across Greater Manchester and the wider North West.

Contact us today for a free survey and a no-pressure conversation about whether ground-mount is right for your property.

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