Is Roof or Ground Mounting Better for Home Solar? Aside from the panels and inverter you choose for your solar project, the next most important factor is where and how you are mounting your system. Your two options would be either to mount the panels on your roof, or to ground mount the panels. Both [...]

Is Roof or Ground Mounting Better for Home Solar?

Aside from the panels and inverter you choose for your solar project, the next most important factor is where and how you are mounting your system. Your two options would be either to mount the panels on your roof, or to ground mount the panels. Both methods have their merits, but roof mounting is often the superior choice for residential solar installations. Let’s compare the two methods and their benefits.

What is a Roof Mount?

A roof mount is a method of installing solar panels directly onto the roof of your home. This is the most common installation method for residential solar systems. The panels are attached to the roof using a racking system, which secures them in place on the most sunlight exposed portions of your roof and uses your homes natural roof slope to get the best angle on solar rays.

How Roof Mounts Work:

Racking System: The solar panels are secured to your roof using a specialized
racking system. This system is designed to withstand various weather conditions,
ensuring that your panels stay in place and function efficiently.
Panel Orientation and Tilt: The racking system uses the natural pitch of your roof to
get the best angle on sunlight. Canada is in the northern hemisphere, so our most
direct sunlight comes from the south. This means solar panels would be placed on
a south facing roof, or if your home has an east/west orientation then some will be
placed on both sides to capture sunlight from both morning and evening.
Minimal Roof Impact: Modern roof mounting systems are designed to have
minimal impact on your roof. They are installed with care to prevent leaks or
damage.

Advantages of Roof Mounts:

Space Efficiency: Roof mounts stylishly utilize the existing space on your roof, making them ideal for homes with limited yard space. This leaves your yard neat and free for other uses.
Cost-Effectiveness: Roof mounts are much more cost-effective than ground mounts. Since they don’t require additional land preparation, trenching, or complex racking systems the installation costs are lower.
Aesthetics: Roof-mounted solar panels are often more visually appealing, as they blend seamlessly with the roofline. Ground-mounted systems, on the other hand, can be more conspicuous and may not be as visually integrated with your property. Solar increases your home value. If you end up selling your property you also want to make sure your solar install is aesthetically pleasing by putting it on your roof.
Optimized Sunlight Exposure: Roof mounts take advantage of your home’s height to capture more sunlight, especially if there are trees, buildings, or other obstructions in your yard. This will lead to better overall energy production compared to ground-mounted systems that may be subject to shading at some points of the day.

Comparing Roof Mounts to Ground Mounts

While roof mounts are popular, ground mounts may be needed for certain solar projects. Ground mounts involve installing solar panels on a racking system that is anchored to the ground in your yard or another open space on your property.

Situations Where Ground Mounts Might Be Preferred:

Limited Roof Space: If your roof is too small to accommodate the number of panels you need, a ground mount might be a better option. This is more common in homes with irregular roof shapes that have many obstructions like chimneys or skylights.
Commercial Projects: We’ve all seen pictures of big fields of solar panels. Ground mounting is best used in larger scale commercial projects where there is a huge amount of space to cover with panels.
Flexibility: Ground mounts offer more flexibility in terms of orientation and tilt, which can be adjusted easily if necessary.

Why Roof Mounts Are Superior for Most Home Solar Installations

For most homeowners, roof mounts are going to be the better choice for your home solar installation. Ground-mounted panels are more suited to very large commercial projects that require a large amount of space. Most homes only need about 15-20 solar panels to cover 100% of their power bills, making ground mounting a less-needed option for residential systems. Roof mounting is cheaper, blends better with the overall look of your home, and uses your home’s natural elevation and slope to get the best angle of sunlight.

Our Solar Specialists and Project Managers can cleanly walk you through the steps of what you need for your solar project as well as making sure you maximize the value of any government rebates in your area. We’ll also get you started on the vital first step of acquiring a tailor-made solar proposal for your personal energy needs at home.

Schedule a consultation for our solar specialist’s expert guidance here.