Groundmounted

Ground-mounted refers to equipment or systems installed on or anchored to the ground surface rather than on a building, pole, or other elevated structure. It is used in several fields, most notably solar photovoltaic installations, but also for antennas, street furniture, and industrial machinery. In solar, ground-mounted systems consist of modules mounted on a framework that is fixed to foundations or ballasted on the soil. The layouts can be fixed-tilt or use single-axis or dual-axis trackers to follow the sun.

A typical ground-mounted solar installation includes modules, a racking system, structural footings, electrical wiring, combiner boxes, inverters, and a connection to the utility grid. Sites are selected for sun exposure, drainage, and accessibility; design must account for wind and snow loads, soil conditions, and environmental constraints. Construction may involve grading, trenching for cables, and installing fencing and security features.

Compared with roof-mounted or pole-mounted systems, ground-mounted installations usually require more land area and land-use permitting, but can offer easier maintenance, modular scalability, and optimized module orientation. They may face greater environmental and visual impact considerations and may require ongoing vegetation management.

Operation and maintenance focus on module cleanliness, corrosion prevention, racking integrity, vegetation control, and monitoring of electrical equipment. Lifespan commonly ranges twenty to thirty years for the mechanical components, with potential for retirement or repowering at end of life.