Good reasons to go on the ground
The most common: a north-facing or heavily shaded roof. A foothills home tucked into ponderosa pines can have a nearly useless roof and a sunny meadow a hundred feet away.
Others: a roof you plan to replace in a few years, a system bigger than the roof can hold (all-electric homes, shops, barns), or simply not wanting penetrations in a newer roof. Because we don’t remove and reinstall rooftop panels, a ground mount is also a clean way to avoid that problem altogether.
What goes into the cost
Concrete or driven-pile foundations, steel racking, and a trench back to your electrical service are the big additions over a rooftop job. Distance matters: every extra foot of trench and conductor adds cost, and long runs need larger wire to limit voltage loss.
Rocky foothills soil can change foundation plans. We look at the site before quoting, and the quote reflects that site rather than a per-watt average.
Snow, wind and setbacks
A steep tilt helps snow slide off and captures more low winter sun, which suits Colorado well. Racking still has to meet local snow and wind loads, which vary sharply between Denver, the plains and mountain towns.
Counties and towns set their own setback and height rules for accessory structures, and HOAs may weigh in. Colorado law (C.R.S. 38-30-168) limits how far an HOA can restrict solar, but placement conditions are sometimes allowed. We check zoning before design.
FAQ
Questions we hear
How much space does a ground mount need?
Roughly the footprint of the panels plus spacing between rows so they don’t shade each other in winter. We lay it out after measuring your system size and the site’s slope.
Does a ground mount need a separate permit?
Usually it needs a building or zoning review in addition to the electrical permit, because it’s a freestanding structure. Requirements depend on your county or town.
Will snow build up on a ground mount?
Some drifts form at the bottom edge, but steep panels usually shed snow within a day or two of sun. Leave enough clearance underneath for snow to pile up without burying the lower row.
Can I put a ground mount on agricultural land?
Often yes. For a working farm or ranch, see our agricultural solar page — utility rules and financing differ from a residential ground mount.