Where to install your solar panels: on the ground or on the roof?

This article will cover the following points:

• Pros and cons of installing solar panels on the ground
• Pros and cons of installing solar panels on a tilted roof
• Pros and cons of installing solar panels on a flat roof

The installation of a solar energy system can be done in different places and on different surfaces, as long as the panels receive enough sunlight. To be able to decide on the best location for the installation, one must first be aware of the pros and cons of the different possible options.

Be aware, however, that you may not be able to choose the type of installation you want. Indeed, your roof or your land could be inadequate (bad orientation, insufficient available surface, insufficient roof solidity, etc.), which would cause your panels to produce too little energy versus a very high investment, which is not desirable for anyone. Although this article presents the pros and cons of each of the possible types of installation, it should not be taken for granted that your house or land is ideal for any type of solar installation.

Ground mounted solar panels installation

Pros:

• This type of installation allows you to choose the sunniest and/or least shaded location on your property as well as your panels’ inclination. Energy production can therefore be optimized.
• Maintenance is easier to perform given the better access of the panels. In winter, snow removal on the panels can also be done more frequently and more quickly, which means better energy production.
• As opposed to roof installations, this type of installation is advantageous for bifacial panels, given the greater space between the rear of the panel and the ground. Knowing that the back of these panels can produce up to 30% more energy from the reflected rays of the Sun, this type of installation is very favorable for this type of solar panels.

Cons:

• This type of installation may disturb some owners (or neighbours) given the controversial aesthetic aspect of the system.
• The risk of theft and vandalism is higher given the immediate accessibility of the panels.
• A ground installation is often more shaded than a rooftop installation (due to surrounding buildings or trees), which implies a lower amount of energy produced.
• Explained by the greater quantity of materials required, the overall cost of a ground mounted system is more expensive than a roof mounted system.
• For commercial installations with several tens (or hundreds) of panels, the available floor space may be insufficient.

Roof mounted solar panels installation

1. Tilted roof

Pros:

• This type of installation uses space that would not otherwise be used.
• Unused land space can be used for other purposes (garden, swimming pool, etc.)
• The risk of theft and vandalism is limited due to the arduous access of the panels.
• Faced against the two other types of installation (ground mounted and flat roof mounted systems), this type of installation is the least expensive.

Cons:

• As much as arduous access to the panels limits the risk of theft and vandalism, this type of installation also makes the maintenance of the panels more difficult. Energy production can therefore be limited at certain times.
• For shingle roofs, holes must be drilled in the roof when fixing the panel anchoring system. While this is rare, it sometimes happens that these holes allow water to enter your roof, which can cause problems in the long run. This means you must make sure that the team that installs your solar panels is qualified and competent.

2. Flat roof

Pros:

• This type of installation uses space that would not otherwise be used.
• Unused land space can be used for other purposes (garden, swimming pool, etc.)
• The risk of theft and vandalism is limited due to the arduous access of the panels.
• Unlike inclined roof installations, maintenance is easier since the panels are installed on a flat surface.

Cons:

• Due to the greater number of anchoring materials required, this type of installation adds weight to your roof which is even greater than that of an installation on a tilted roof. Engineering services are therefore required to analyze the load weight of your roof. These services are mandatory for flat roof mounted systems and incur additional costs, which increases the overall cost of installation.
• As difficult access to the panels limits the risk of theft and vandalism, maintenance is more difficult than ground mounted installations.
• Following the same logic as for a floor installation, the need for a greater quantity of materials, implies a higher cost.

Conclusion

In summary, ground installations offer better energy production and are easier to maintain, but their overall cost and risk of vandalism are higher. Installations on a tilted roof enhance space that would not be used otherwise and limit the risk of vandalism but are more difficult to maintain and cannot be installed on all roofs. Installations on a flat roof also enhance space that would not be used otherwise, are easier to maintain and limit the risk of vandalism but are the most expensive due to the greater quantity of materials required. They also cannot be installed on a larger quantity of roofs because of the weight it adds to them.

As you may notice, there is not one type of installation that is better than another since they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of a type of installation is therefore personal and depends on the layout of your roof and/or your land.

That said, as mentioned earlier, it is important to mention that your roof or your land could be inadequate (poor orientation, insufficient available surface, insufficient roof solidity, etc.), which would cause your panels to produce a too little energy faced with a very high investment cost, which is not desirable for anyone. This means that you cannot take for granted that your home or land is ideal for any type of solar installation. You will therefore have to rely on the team that will install your panels for the choice of installation type.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information regarding the different types of solar systems available, we will be happy to help you!