A ground mount solar DIY build is one of the most practical ways to install your own solar. You stay off the roof, you can set the perfect tilt, and the array is easy to clean. The work is mostly carpentry, concrete and trenching, plus electrical work that must meet NEC Article 690 and pass inspection.
Electrical work can be dangerous: follow the manual, fuse and size every cable correctly, and use a licensed electrician for anything connected to household wiring.
Ground Mount Solar DIY: Planning the Site
- Sun: no shade from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. year-round
- Orientation: due south in the US (model alternatives in PVWatts)
- Tilt: near your latitude for year-round output; steeper favors winter
- Distance: shorter trench runs mean less wire and voltage drop
- Setbacks: check zoning and property lines
- Utilities: call 811 before you dig
Racking Options
| Type | Pros | Good to Know Before You Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial aluminum/ | Engineered, permit-ready | Higher cost |
| Galvanized pipe (Schedule 40) frame | Strong, common DIY | Needs engineering for wind/snow |
| Wood frame | Cheap, easy | Shorter life; may not pass in all areas |
| Pole mount | Small footprint, adjustable | Limited panel count |
Footings
Racking makers list footing size and depth for your wind and snow loads. Common options:
- Concrete piers below the frost line
- Driven piles or ground screws, faster with the right equipment
Your permit may require stamped engineering.
Wiring
- Use PV wire or USE-2 on the array, and listed conduit underground
- Bury conduit at the depth NEC Table 300.5 requires for that wiring method
- Size conductors for current and voltage drop
- Install required disconnects and labels
- Bond racking and module frames per the racking and module instructions
- Rapid shutdown rules generally apply to roof arrays, not detached ground mounts, but confirm locally
Microinverters, String Inverter or Off-Grid?
Microinverters put AC in the trench. A string inverter at the house means a DC run. Off-grid builds feed a charge controller and battery.
Inspection
Expect footing, trench and final electrical inspections, plus utility approval for grid-tie.
Worked Example: Row Spacing to Avoid Shading
If you build more than one row, the front row can shade the back in winter. A common method uses the sun’s lowest useful elevation, often winter solstice around midday:
Row gap = height difference between the front row’s top edge and the next row’s bottom edge ÷ tan(sun elevation)
For a row whose top edge sits 5 ft higher than the bottom edge of the next row, and a winter noon sun elevation of 25° (example):
- tan(25°) = 0.466
- Gap = 5 ÷ 0.466 = about 10.7 ft between rows
Sun elevation at noon on the winter solstice is about 90° − latitude − 23.4°. At 40° N latitude: 90 − 40 − 23.4 = 26.6°. NOAA’s Solar Calculator gives exact sun angles for your location.
Worked Example: Tilt and Output
Run PVWatts at your address with different tilts to see the effect:
| Tilt | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| About latitude | Year-round production | Close to the yearly maximum |
| Latitude + 15° | Winter and snow shedding | Less summer, more winter output |
| Latitude − 15° | Summer-heavy use | More summer, less winter output |
Adjustable racks let you change tilt by season. For off-grid systems sized for winter, steeper tilts are common. See off-grid solar system for a home.
Worked Example: Trench Run and Voltage Drop
For a microinverter array making 7.6 kW at 240 V (about 32 A), 150 ft from the house, copper conductors give (using NEC Chapter 9 Table 8 resistance):
| Wire | Voltage drop | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 8 AWG | about 7.5 V | 3.1% |
| 6 AWG | about 4.7 V | 2.0% |
| 4 AWG | about 3.0 V | 1.2% |
Formula: drop = 2 × length × current × ohms per 1,000 ft ÷ 1,000. Many designers keep solar circuits at 2% or less. See voltage drop calculation.
Burial Depth Basics
NEC Table 300.5 sets minimum cover by wiring method. Commonly cited residential values include:
| Wiring method | Minimum cover (general case) |
|---|---|
| Rigid metal conduit (RMC) | 6 in |
| PVC conduit (nonmetallic, no concrete cover) | 18 in |
| Direct-buried cable (UF, USE) | 24 in |
Exceptions exist for driveways, under buildings and for certain residential branch circuits. Confirm with the table in your adopted code edition and your inspector.
Step-by-Step: Build Sequence
- Permit and design: site plan, racking engineering, single-line diagram.
- Call 811 and mark utilities.
- Lay out the array footprint and footing locations with string lines.
- Install footings to the racking maker’s depth and size, and get footing inspection if required.
- Build the frame and set tilt.
- Mount rails and panels, torquing fasteners to spec.
- Bond frames and racking per the instructions.
- Trench and run conduit, get the trench inspected before backfill if required.
- Wire inverters or microinverters, disconnects and the panel connection.
- Final inspection and utility PTO. See solar permits and interconnection.
Materials Checklist
- Racking kit or engineered pipe frame and fittings
- Concrete, rebar or piles, per the footing design
- Panels, plus microinverters or a string inverter
- PV wire, USE-2 or THWN-2 conductors as appropriate
- Conduit, fittings, pull boxes and warning tape
- Grounding and bonding hardware listed for the racking
- Disconnects, breakers and labels
For the general DIY picture, see DIY home solar system. For ground vs roof trade-offs, see roof mount vs ground mount solar.
FAQ
How deep should a solar ground mount be?
Follow the racking maker’s engineering and local frost depth.
Is a ground mount cheaper than a roof mount?
Often not, because of footings and trenching, but DIY labor can change that.
Do I need a permit for a ground mount?
Almost always, for structural and electrical work.
How far apart should ground mount rows be?
Far enough that the front row doesn’t shade the back during your key months. Use the row-gap formula above with your winter sun angle.
What size pipe is used for a DIY ground mount?
Many pipe-based racking kits use Schedule 40 galvanized steel pipe in sizes the maker specifies for your span, wind and snow loads. Follow the racking engineering rather than guessing.
Can I use microinverters on a ground mount?
Yes. Microinverters convert to AC at the array, so the trench carries AC to the house. That can simplify long runs.
Does a ground mount need to be grounded?
Yes. Racking and module frames must be bonded and connected to the equipment grounding system, following the racking and module instructions and NEC Article 690. Your inspector checks this.
Sources: NFPA 70 (NEC) 2023 Articles 300.5 and 690; NREL PVWatts; racking manufacturer installation guides; NOAA Solar Calculator; NFPA 70 (NEC) Table 300.5 and Chapter 9 Table 8. Accessed Oct 2026.
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