Ground Mount vs Rooftop Solar

The Quick Answer

Rooftop solar works for most people. It's cheaper to install because you're using existing structure. Ground mount costs more upfront but produces more power per panel and gives you more control.

If you have the land and your roof has issues—wrong angle, too much shade, needs replacement soon, or you just don't want holes drilled in it—ground mount is worth the extra cost.

Cost Comparison

Rooftop Solar

$2.50 - $3.50

per watt installed

• Uses existing roof structure
• Shorter wiring runs
• No ground prep needed

Ground Mount

$2.50 - $4.00

per watt installed

• Requires racking structure
• Trenching for wiring
• Foundation work needed

Ground mount typically runs 10-20% more than rooftop for the same wattage. A 10kW rooftop system might cost $30,000 while ground mount runs $33,000-$36,000. But raw installation cost doesn't tell the whole story.

Energy Production: Where Ground Mount Wins

Ground mount systems typically produce 10-25% more energy than equivalent rooftop installations. Here's why:

Optimal tilt angle

Ground mount panels can be set to the perfect angle for your latitude. In Texas, that's about 30 degrees. Most roofs aren't at that angle, and you're stuck with whatever angle you've got.

True south orientation

Your roof faces whatever direction your house faces. Ground mount faces south, period. A roof facing east or west produces 15-20% less power than one facing south.

Better airflow

Panels get hot. Hot panels produce less power. Ground mount systems have air flowing on all sides, keeping them cooler than panels pressed against a hot roof. In Texas summers, this matters.

No roof obstructions

Vents, chimneys, skylights, and HVAC equipment eat into rooftop space and create shading. Ground mount has none of that. You pick a clear spot and use it all.

That 10-25% production advantage often makes up for the higher upfront cost over the 25-year life of the system. Run the numbers for your specific situation.

When Ground Mount Is the Clear Choice

Your roof needs replacement: Don't put solar on a 15-year-old roof. You'll pay to remove the panels, reshingle, and reinstall them in a few years. If your roof has less than 15 years of life left, consider ground mount.
Your roof faces the wrong way: East or west-facing roofs produce significantly less power. North-facing is even worse. If your usable roof space doesn't face south, ground mount makes more sense.
Heavy tree shading: Trees that shade your roof but not your yard? Ground mount lets you put panels in the sunny spot.
Complex roof geometry: Lots of angles, dormers, and different roof sections mean more equipment and labor. Sometimes ground mount ends up being comparable in cost.
HOA restrictions on rooftop: Some HOAs limit rooftop solar visibility but don't regulate what you do in your backyard. Check your covenants.
You want to avoid roof penetrations: Rooftop solar requires drilling into your roof and creating sealed penetrations. Most are done well. Some leak. Ground mount keeps your roof intact.
You have plenty of unused land: If you've got an acre or more and a corner that's just growing weeds, putting it to work makes sense.

When Rooftop Is the Better Call

Limited land: If you don't have at least a quarter acre of clear land, rooftop is your only realistic option.
New or good-condition roof: A south-facing roof with 20+ years of life ahead is a good platform for solar.
Budget constraints: If the 10-20% cost difference matters to your financing, rooftop gets you into solar for less money upfront.
Aesthetics: Some people prefer panels on the roof where they're less visible from ground level.
Want to preserve yard space: If you use every inch of your property and don't want to give any up, rooftop keeps your land free.

Maintenance: Advantage Ground Mount

Both systems need minimal maintenance. But when you do need to check something, ground mount is easier to deal with.

Rooftop Maintenance

• Requires ladder or roof access
• Safety equipment recommended
• May need professional for service
• Roof inspection more difficult
• Cleaning requires height work

Ground Mount Maintenance

• Walk up and inspect anytime
• No special equipment needed
• Easy DIY cleaning with hose
• Simple visual inspections
• Snow removal straightforward

Property Value Impact

Both types of solar installations generally increase property value. Studies show homes with solar sell for 3-4% more than comparable homes without. The difference between rooftop and ground mount impact is negligible in most markets.

One advantage of ground mount: it's not tied to your roof. If you ever need to replace the roof, the solar system isn't affected. And if you sell, the buyer gets a solar system without worrying about the roof underneath it.

The Hybrid Approach

Some Texas homeowners do both. They max out their usable roof space, then add ground mount capacity to cover the rest of their needs. This makes sense when:

• You have high electricity usage (EV charging, large home, pool equipment)
• Your roof can handle some panels but not enough for 100% offset
• You want to phase the installation over time

The economics work if both systems share an inverter setup. Separate inverters for each array reduces efficiency and adds cost.

Bottom Line

Ground mount costs more. It also produces more. If you have the land and any of the roof-related concerns mentioned above, ground mount deserves serious consideration.

For Texas landowners with an acre or more, ground mount often ends up being the smarter long-term investment. You're not fighting your roof's limitations. You're using your land for exactly what it's good at: catching Texas sunshine.