You’ve got land. You’ve got rising electricity bills. And you’ve got a sense that solar energy could be the answer, not just to save money but also to gain long-term energy independence. You’re right.
But here’s the thing: choosing the right ground mounted solar system isn’t just about getting a few quotes and picking the cheapest one. It’s also about understanding what actually works for your space, your goals, and your land.
Whether you’re setting up a large-scale ground mounted solar power plant or just using your extra land to power your home or business, in this guide, you will get all the answers related to ground-mounted solar systems, working process, types, cost to set up, tips to choose the right solar power ground mounted and many more.
Let’s first begin by understanding what a ground-mounted solar system is and why it is becoming a popular choice.
A ground mounted solar system is exactly what it sounds like: solar panels installed on the ground, rather than your roof or a structure. But there’s more going on under the surface.
Each system typically includes:
When all of these components come together, they make a solar power ground mounted system that works exactly like a rooftop system, only smarter, because it’s designed with full control over orientation, spacing, airflow, and shading.
Now that you know how ground mounted solar systems are made, let’s have a look at why solar power ground mounted structures are becoming a popular choice among business owners.
Let’s say you’ve already looked into rooftop panels. Maybe your roof isn’t big enough. Maybe it’s shaded half the day. Or maybe you’re planning something bigger, something that requires real scale.
That’s where ground mounted solar panels come in. They offer a level of control and flexibility that rooftops just can’t match.
In other words, we can say that when you install a ground mount solar system, you can discuss (and decide) everything, starting from the angle, the spacing, the direction, and the technology. That means more efficient energy production, easier maintenance, and systems that can grow as your power needs grow.
Moreover, ground-mounted solar panels have a better lifespan compared to other solar panel types, and they need less effort in maintaining them. So even if you clean dust less frequently, it won’t affect the lifespan due to that.
And on a national level? These systems are helping India hit its renewable energy targets. From Gujarat’s solar parks to solar setups in rural Maharashtra and South India, ground mounted solar power plants are a key part of our transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy.
Talking about achieving national renewable energy targets, let’s have a look at how ground-mounted solar power plants work to help us achieve our goals.
To give you an answer in one line, we can say that it starts with sunlight and land.
Your ground mounted solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into DC power. That electricity is then routed to inverters that convert it to usable AC.
From there, it can either power your property directly, feed into a battery system, or be exported to the grid through net metering.
The ground mount solar structure is then angled just right to catch the most sun possible, usually based on the latitude of your location. And the ground mount solar mounting ensures it stays stable, even in strong wind, rain, or extreme temperatures.
After the setup is done, these systems then can be further categorized in three ways -
Either way, a well-designed solar power ground mounted system is meant to run for 25+ years with minimal hurdles if it’s built right from the start.
Finally, when you have got quite a detailed idea about ground mount solar, why they are becoming a popular choice recently, and how they work, let’s have a look at different types of ground mounted solar systems.
When it comes to ground mount solar systems, there are four main types – fixed tilt systems, single axis tracker systems, dual axis trackers, and bifacial solar panels.
We’ve talked about each of them in brief for your reference -
These systems stay in one position all year. They’re simple, durable, and low maintenance.
They are the best choice if you have an open land with consistent sunlight, especially in rural areas. The best part about fixed tilt systems is that they require comparatively less upfront investment, and they are easy to get installed and set up.
Moving next, single-axis tracker system setups move throughout the day to follow the sun from east to west.
They are the best choice for industrial or commercial installations where you want to have higher outputs. Single axis tracker systems are known for boosting energy generation by 15–25% over fixed systems.
The main difference between single-axis trackers and double-axis trackers is that double-axis systems move in both vertical and horizontal directions, basically tracking the sun like a sunflower.
They are most suitable for ground mounted solar power plants where generating high electricity is critical. The reason why they work best even in locations with variable sun angles is that they can deliver peak performance by moving in the direction of the sun automatically.
As the name suggests, bifacial solar panels absorb sunlight from both sides - front and back.
So, when they are installed on reflective surfaces like sand, cement, or white gravel, they can increase production by 10–30%.
Bifacial solar panels are growing fast in India, especially for utility projects, as they pair perfectly with solar power ground mounted systems because of better airflow and space flexibility.
If you have made up your mind about installing a ground mounted solar power, here are some very important aspects for you to tick off and keep in mind -
Ground mounted solar systems need space, usually 4–5 acres per megawatt. If you’ve got enough land to let, you can consider moving further.
Keep in mind that other than solar panels, you will also need space for maintenance paths, inverter locations, and future expansion.
It is also recommended to learn more about solar panel efficiency, as not all ground-mounted solar panels are the same when it comes to production level.
To give you a quick idea, we can say that
The best way to decide which one will be the best for you is by talking with your solar company and discussing your region’s average sunlight hours and intensity to decide which one will be the best option for you.
Moving next, you also need to check your land’s soil and ground conditions before you set up a ground mounted solar system.
If you have rocky ground, you may need to correct the land foundations before you move further. On the other hand, if you have sandy soil, you may need to go deeper with driven piles.
The right type of soil and grounding conditions will help you protect your ground mount solar mounting investment from shifting soil or structural stress.
As a rule of thumb, panels should face south in most parts of India. But the exact angle depends on your latitude.
And it’s not just about angle; it’s also about air circulation, spacing between rows, and reducing dust buildup. These little things impact performance more than most people realize.
The region you will get ground mounted solar system installed matters a lot. If you are installing a ground mounted solar system in Gujarat, you need to keep in mind that wind speeds can hit hard in open areas. Planning it for Rajasthan? Be prepared for dust storms. Kerala? You’ll deal with rain and humidity.
Depending on where you are installing ground mount solar, you will need to take care of preventive measures like rustproofing, tilt adjustments, and wind-load certifications.
If you find that you, have all that it takes to set up a ground mounted solar system, now is the right time to know how much investment you will need to have ground mounted solar panels for your business.
The cost of setting ground mount solar may vary on multiple factors, but here’s a ballpark:
A 1 MW ground mounted solar power plant can cost ₹3.5 to ₹5 crore in India. That includes panels, inverters, ground mount solar mounting, labor, and grid connection. However, you will need to invest separately in O&M (operational and maintenance) costs.
When it comes to financing options for ground mount solar, there are two options – either you can go with the CAPEX or OPEX model.
With the CAPEX model, you will need to invest a huge upfront cost and figure out the nitty-gritty of the full project. Whereas, if you go with OPEX, also known as the PPA model, a solar company takes charge of everything starting from installation to setup and further processes. You just need to pay for the electricity you use.
So, in short, OPEX is great for businesses that want solar benefits without the capital hit, while CAPEX works best for long-term thinkers with an available budget.
Once all the above processes are done, there comes a stage to install a ground-mounted solar power plant. After setting up hundreds of ground mounted solar systems across India, here’s what we follow as our standard process at KPI Green Energy Ltd .
The first step is to look at soil type, shading, slope, wind flow - all of it. The right data up front prevents headaches later.
We don’t cut corners. Every ground mount solar structure we install is wind-load certified and corrosion-resistant.
Our engineers customize the ground mount solar mounting design based on your land’s contour and condition.
Our team handles DISCOM (Distribution Companies) approvals, net metering, and synchronizing your system with local policies.
We don’t disappear after installation. Regular inspections, performance tracking, and panel cleaning keep your solar power ground mounted system performing at its best.
A ground mounted solar system isn’t just a clean energy choice; it’s a smart business decision. When you do it right, it gives you energy security, massive savings, and a positive impact that lasts for decades. But don’t rush into it.
Look at your land, your energy goals, and your budget. Talk to experienced installers. Ask the right questions. And when you're ready? Work with a team that understands your ground, literally and figuratively.
At KPI Green Energy Ltd, we’re not just providing renewable power solutions. We’re your solar partners who will work and support you from site survey to post-installation services.
If you're ready to turn open land into lasting power, let’s build something bright together!
Sustainable, reliable & affordable energy systems
Ans: A ground-mounted solar system is a solar power setup where the solar panels are installed directly on the ground instead of on rooftops. These systems consist of PV panels, a mounting structure, inverters, wiring, and other safety components.
Ans: These panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity, which is then converted to alternating current (AC) using inverters. The electricity can power your property, be stored in batteries, or be fed back into the grid.
Ans: With proper setup and minimal maintenance, a ground-mounted solar system can last 25 years or more.
