A photovoltaic installation on the ground, like any solution, has its advantages and disadvantages. It is a popular option chosen by builders who cannot install panels on the roof of a building. When the roofing is not suitable or does not have the right angle of inclination, installing the panels on the ground becomes an attractive alternative. Although it requires an additional investment in a support structure, it opens up many possibilities, including the possibility of creating a more efficient and larger installation.
Advantages of ground-mounted photovoltaic installation
The benefits of installing a phot ovoltaic system on the ground are as follows:
- Higher efficiency: Photovoltaic installations on the ground often have a higher efficiency than those installed on roofs. By being able to position the panels at the optimum angle to the sun’s rays, greater electricity production can be achieved.
- No area restrictions: Mounting on the ground eliminates the constraints of roof space, allowing a larger installation to be built to suit the needs of a home or business.
- Greater accessibility – photovoltaic modules sometimes need cleaning to remove dust, leaves or snow. A ground-mounted installation will be much more convenient in this respect than a roof-mounted installation.
- No impact on the structure and appearance of the roofing – a photovoltaic installation needs to be permanently fixed to the ground in order to withstand the weather. Whether a roof covered with modules looks nicer or not remains debatable. With a ground-mounted photovoltaic installation, such a dilemma does not arise.
Disadvantages of ground-mounted photovoltaics
- Higher installation cost: One of the main disadvantages of a ground-mounted photovoltaic installation is usually the higher installation cost compared to a roof-mounted installation. This is because ground-mounted installation requires the construction of a sturdy support structure to hold the solar panels in position. Additionally, ground-mounted installation often requires more advanced earthworks, which can increase material and labour costs.
- Taking up more space: a ground-mounted photovoltaic installation takes up more space compared to a roof-mounted installation. For many people, this can be a significant factor, especially if land availability is limited or if there are other plans for the space. The need to find a suitable area to place the panels can be a challenge, especially for small plots of land or urbanised areas.
- Cross-cutting: Another issue is the need for a cross-cut from the location of the solar panels to the building’s electrical distribution panel. This is necessary to connect the installation to the electrical grid. Earthworks can be time-consuming and costly, especially if the site requires digging through difficult soil conditions or there are obstacles such as existing buildings or vegetation.
Photovoltaics on the ground – legislation
A building permit is not required for the installation of a photovoltaic installation on land if the capacity of the planned installation does not exceed 50 kW. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. A building permit is required:
- when the investment requires an environmental or Natura 2000 impact assessment,
- when the area where the panels are to be installed has been entered in the register of historical monuments.
In addition to these formalities, it may be necessary to carry out an agreement regarding the design of the installation with the provisions of the local spatial development plan.
Installations exceeding 50 kW always require a building permit, which must be obtained prior to the commencement of construction work.
Components of a ground-mounted photovoltaic installation
For a ground-mounted photovoltaic installation, the photovoltaic modules, the inverter and the support structure must be selected accordingly.
Photovoltaic modules
For a ground-mounted installation, it is worth considering the installation of bifacial modules. Such panels are able to generate electricity on both sides. In traditional photovoltaic modules, usually the back of the cell is protected by an aluminium coating that acts as a reflector of light. In bifacial panels, on the other hand, this surface is replaced by a special semiconductor layer that acts as an additional light absorber, allowing the solar radiation reflected from the ground to be converted into electricity. Such modules have the potential to generate up to 30% more electricity compared to traditional panels.
In addition, bifacial modules are characterised by greater resistance to mechanical damage, which translates into a longer lifespan. They also have better weather resistance, making them more durable compared to traditional photovoltaic panels.
Perfectly fitting into this framework are the Bauer Solar 400W modules. These modules represent the highest standard of quality and performance. They come with an impressive product guarantee of up to 30 years, demonstrating the manufacturer’s confidence in the durability of its panels. In addition, an efficiency guarantee of 87% throughout the warranty period speaks to their reliability and efficiency over a long period of use. The German manufacturer guarantees not only high quality, but also innovative technological solutions. Bauer Solar modules use PERC cells with a Half-cut architecture, which, combined with bifacial technology, enables additional electricity production from reflected light. Importantly, the panels feature extreme fire resistance and a high efficiency of up to 20.5 per cent. In addition, thanks to a glass coating with anti-reflective technology, they ensure maximum absorption of sunlight. Bauer Solar panels are also resistant to mechanical loads such as snow or wind up to 5,400 Pa. Thanks to the Double Cell technology used, the reduction in yield loss with shading is minimal, making them effective even in variable lighting conditions.
Photovoltaic inverter
Usually, a photovoltaic installation on the ground involves the installation of an inverter outdoors. It is therefore worth ensuring that the planned inverter is at least IP65-rated.
The inverter we recommend for outdoor installation is the Sungrow with the designation SG. It has an IP65 protection class. Its low starting voltage and wide MPPT voltage range ensure high performance even in harsh lighting conditions. In terms of safety and durability, Sungrow inverters feature a fast circuit breaker when an arc discharge is detected, providing protection against possible hazards. The applied SPD DC/AC protection and the high-end C5 corrosion protection guarantee stable and reliable operation. In addition, an advanced system built into the inverter allows intelligent scanning of the I-V (current-voltage) curve, adapting to changing conditions. Real-time monitoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allows system performance to be tracked. The ability to remotely configure and update the software ensures that the inverters are up to date with the latest standards. All of this makes Sungrow’s mains inverters not only technologically advanced, but also convenient to use.
Support structure for photovoltaic panels
Photovoltaic panels are placed on the structure. Its main task is to stably hold the panels in position and to ensure they have the right inclination and orientation with respect to the direction of the sun’s rays. Supporting structures can take different forms, depending on the location, topography of the terrain and individual preferences of the investor. They can be in-ground structures on poles or foundations, slope-mounted systems, wall-mounted structures or tracking systems (trackers) that automatically adjust the angle of the panels during the day.
Photovoltaics on the ground – Summary
A ground-mounted photovoltaic installation is an alternative for those who cannot install panels on the roof of a building for various reasons. Despite the higher installation cost and the need to take up more space, a ground-mounted installation offers greater efficiency due to the ability to position the panels at the optimum angle to the sun’s rays. In addition, the lack of interference with the roof structure and easier access to the photovoltaic panels are additional advantages of this option. The final decision should be well considered, taking into account individual needs and constraints.
Sources
https://syntezaoze.pl/blog/panele-fotowoltaiczne-na-gruncie/