Commercial Solar Power Ground Mounted
Ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are an increasingly popular and highly efficient way for large property owners, farmers, and commercial businesses to embrace renewable energy, reduce operating costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
At Excel Energy UK, we believe every piece of land that is not Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) System graded 1-3a, (AKA: Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (“BMVAL”) has the ability to contribute to this. Our ground mounted solar panel systems are the ideal solution for turning that idle space into a high-performing source of renewable energy and a new revenue stream.
We offer unparalleled depth and breadth of expertise to help all of our customers get the most out of their solar PV systems.
TURNKEY COMMERCIAL GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PV SOLUTIONS
What our clients say
The Power of Ground Mounted Solar for Unused Land
Rooftop installations can be limited in output by available space, strength & structure of the roof, tilt angle, shading from nearby buildings or foliage
Ground-mounted systems offer unparalleled flexibility, room for growth, and efficiency, making them a perfect fit for properties with ample open space.
amplfying Your Energy Output
Ground mounted arrays can be strategically positioned at the optimal tilt and orientation to capture the largest amount of sunlight throughout the day. This freedom of placement ensures significantly higher energy production compared to fixed-position rooftop systems, leading to better returns on your investment.
Turn Idle Space into Profit
Ground mounted solar is a proven way to utilise unused, low-value land (such as Grade 3b and below agricultural land) into a productive, long-term asset that can earn you income by selling excess amount of electricity back to the grid.
Reliable Income:
For landowners and farmers, leasing space for a solar farm or installing a system for your own use provides a consistent and reliable additional revenue stream for up to 30 years.
Energy Independence & Savings:
Generate your own clean electricity to power your operations, significantly reducing energy costs and shielding your business from volatile grid prices.
Expandability:
From a large-scale commercial solar farm to a system powering a single business, ground-mounted arrays can be easily scaled up to meet high energy demands or for exporting surplus power back to the grid.
Embrace Dual-Use Land (Agrivoltaics)
Ground-mounted solar doesn’t mean sacrificing the utility of your land. We champion dual-use opportunities that allow agriculture and energy generation to coexist.
Co-Location with Farming:
The land beneath and between the panels can remain productive for activities like grazing sheep or growing certain crops. This approach not only provides an additional income stream but can also reduce maintenance costs by naturally managing vegetation.
Soil and Water Benefits:
For certain crops, the partial shade provided by elevated panels can reduce water evaporation by up to 30% and help moderate soil temperatures, creating a more resilient microclimate for growth.
IMPROVING Biodiversity and Sustainability
Solar farms, particularly on unused or low-grade land, offer a significant opportunity to boost local biodiversity and support ecological recovery.
By resting the soil and replacing intensive farming practices with nature-friendly management, a solar site can become a haven for wildlife.
Solar Energy UK have written a blog covering how solar power can work in harmony with nature.
Creating Habitats:
We design solar farms with Biodiversity Initiatives in mind, planting wildflowers and native vegetation to create sheltered microhabitats and foraging grounds.
Supporting Pollinators:
Solar farms managed as wildflower meadows have been shown to boost pollinator populations like bees and bumblebees, which are vital for crop pollination in the wider landscape.
Wildlife Sanctuary:
The long-term, nominal-disturbance nature of a solar farm allows the land to recover, providing a refuge for invertebrates, reptiles, and ground-nesting birds compared to surrounding intensively farmed areas.
Types of Fixings used for Ground Mounted Solar Panels
Like rooftop solar PV installations, ground mounted modules can be secured using a variety of different methods, the approach used depends on the suitability of the ground underneath, which can be gauged with topographical surveys, laser scanning equipment in combination with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and CAT (cable avoidance testing) equipment.
Piledriven
A vibratory piledriver is used to drive metal (usually steel) beams into the ground to act as support for the rails that the solar panels are then mounted onto. Typically, no concrete reinforcement is required.
Helical Pile
Installed using a standard tracked or wheeled excavator using a torque monitor attachment, a helical pile is a steel shaft with helical flights designed to penetrate through soil. Their installation is reversible and typically quieter than piledriven techniques.
Ballasted
Ballasted systems require no cutting into the earth, instead the panels are fixed to pre-made frames and the frames themselves are weighed down, usually with concrete or high-density breeze blocks. As there is no intrusion into the ground needed, ballasted systems can be considered temporary, even though their construction is built to last the same periods of time as the other methods.
Installing a ground mounted solar system with Excel Energy UK is a streamlined process:
Site Assessment: We evaluate your land’s specific characteristics, focusing on lower-grade land (like Grade 3b) to ensure we respect prime agricultural areas.
Custom System Design: Our experts design a customised system that magnifies energy capture, considering the optimal tilt, orientation, and any dual-use objectives.
Permitting and Approvals: We guide you through all necessary planning permissions and regulatory requirements for your project.
Installation & Commissioning: Our accomplished team ensures a professional, high-quality installation and full system testing.
Ready to transform your underutilised land into a valuable green asset?