There are many factors to take into consideration when diving into the possibility of having a solar system array within your property, such as the space available on your property, if you need planning permission and what installation process should be used.
The main factor, and what will be discussed in this article, is the overall cost of solar panels, more specifically, ground mounted solar panels.
Throughout this article you’ll find the cost of ground mounted solar panels, the prices of different installation methods, if ground mounted solar panels are more expensive in comparison to roof mounted solar panels and if there are any incentives to having this system.
How much do ground-mounted solar panels cost?
Throughout the UK, on average, 3 solar panels will support 1 person’s electricity usage. So, for example, a family of 4 will need 12 solar panels to support the overall usage of electricity on a day-to-day basis.
A singular 350W panel costs £786, approximately. This means the cost to supply a three-bedroom house, the average UK home, with electricity would be £7,860. This price does not include installation.
Installation will cost slightly more as you are having to pay for labour and materials of the job at hand.
In terms of ground mounted solar panels, they cost 25 – 35% more than roof solar panels due to the increase in amount of materials and a more intricate installation method/s.
| System Size | Approx. Cost (Including Installation) | Electricity Output Throughout the Year |
| 10 kWp | £27,000 | 10,090 kWh |
| 20 kWp | £40,000 | 20,160 kWh |
| 30 kWp | £51,000 | 30,240 kWh |
Costs of installation equipment for ground mounted solar panels
It is quite difficult to give a definitive answer to the cost of installation equipment when it comes to building your ground mounted solar array, as everyone’s situation is different. To give you a rough idea, below are some figures which may help.
There are three main factors which add up to give you your full installation cost:
- Materials
- Business costs
- Labour costs
The materials, which include panels, brackets and an inverter, will typically cost between 40 and 50 percent of the total cost, or £3,500 for a typical three-bedroom home.
When looking at the second factor, business expenses, you will pay for company expenses like scaffolding, petrol for vehicles and regulatory permits with 30–40% of the total amount you spend. This works out to about £2,800 for a 3.5 kWp solar installation on average.
The remaining 10–30% of the price is used to cover labour costs, the third and final installation cost factor. All residential installations, particularly sizable ones with more than 20 panels, should be covered by this range.
| Business Expenses | Labour | Materials | |
| Avg. % | 35% | 20% | 45% |
| Avg. £ | £1,700 – £3,900 | £2,100 – £5,000 | £900 – £2,200 |
Are ground mounted solar panels more expensive than roof panels?
The average UK home uses approximately 2,700 kWh. For this house to be supported by a solar array, the system would cost around £7,800, with ground mounted solar panels costing around £1,950 extra.
These panels are slightly more expensive due to added materials and extra time, but they will eventually save you money. Ground mounted solar panels require additional support and longer wires to ensure safety and occupant safety.
Ground mounted solar panels are also placed further away from the house’s electrical system, leading to higher prices due to longer wires which, most of the time, will need to be entrenched.
Despite not being cheaper than roof mounted solar panels, ground mounted solar panels can be more efficient in producing electricity as they can move with the sun and stay at the optimal angle throughout the day. Overall, ground mounted solar panels may be more cost-effective over time.
Can you get grants for ground-mounted solar panels?
Under the Feed-in-Tariff programme, which ended in 2019, energy providers effectively purchased your solar panels on your behalf. They may even put them on your roof, in which case you would receive the free electricity.
Now that this and a few other earlier solar panel incentives have terminated, the ECO4 programme is the main source of funding that is still accessible. While there are a few other programmes that can help you save money in general, ECO4 is currently the only government-sponsored programme that can assist with the cost of installing and buying solar panels.
The government’s energy efficiency programme known as the Energy Company Obligation, or ECO plan, is aimed at low-income and vulnerable households. The main goals of ECO are to assist people who are fuel poor and to increase the accessibility of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, for individuals who otherwise would not be able to purchase them.
The programme started in 2013 and is currently in ECO4, the fourth and final instalment. Eligible applications could only get help from energy suppliers with more than 150,000 consumers under ECO3, which came to an end in March 2022. The government hopes to abolish the obligation barrier so smaller energy providers can also take part in the initiative, even if this is still the case in practice as of right now.
Since ECO4 will continue until March 2026, if you qualify, you still have a considerable number of years to take advantage of it. If you are a welfare recipient, own your home, or if you rent (obtain permission from your landlord to install solar panels) you may apply for the ECO4 grants for solar panels.