Solar Panel Ground Mounts – A Comparison of the 5 Best Materials
So, you have decided to use a ground mounting system for your solar panel installation. Your panels are simply too big for pole mounts, and way too heavy for your roof. The first step in building your solar panel ground mounts is to consider the materials used to construct them. This is an important step, so you shouldn’t skimp on any of the details. When looking for ground mounts, it is important to do all your research upfront and choose wisely, in order to find the materials that are right for you.
Here are a few materials to consider:
1) Steel – Considered to be one of the strongest materials known to exist, steel definitely have its problems. The biggest issue with steel is going to be its high capability to attract rust. This can be especially multiplied if you live in an area with high humidity. However, with a bit of maintenance, steel solar panel ground mounts can be a worth investment.
2) Stainless Steel – Coming in a wide variety of alloys, stainless steel ground mounts provide the greatest protection against the element. Just make sure to choose an allow that is easy to drill and weld, as most are a bit challenging to work with. All in all, stainless steel solar panel ground mounts are a strong and more economical choice to regular steel.
3) Galvanized Steel – This material is by far of the most flexible materials available, coming in a wide variety of sizes, angles, and shapes. Surprisingly enough, despite this material’s flexibility, it is an astonishingly strong variation of steel; one of the hardest steel alloys on the planet. Using galvanized solar panel ground mounts is a good choice, except for one small downside. Because this steel is strong, it is also extremely difficult to weld and drill.
4) Aluminum – Considered to be the standard material in the solar construction industry, aluminum is considered lightweight, extremely strong, and resistant to corrosion. So why doesn’t everyone use this material? Well, because aluminum solar panel ground mounts are normally too expensive to mount low cost solar panel system. In addition, this material can support less weight, as it is less strong then steel.
5) Wood – If you are trying to stay on a tight limited budget, then most likely you might be looking for wood materials for your solar panel ground mounts. Wood is a material you should really use sparingly, and only if you really have no other choice. For one, wood cannot withstand weather at all. So, the cost of continuously replacing mounts can cost you in the long run. If you want to take the wood route, look for treated weather-resistant wood, as it tends to last longer than it’s regular counterpart.
All of these common materials are a starting point in the construction of your solar panel ground mounts. It is important to do all your research to find out which material is best in your own situation. There is no perfect answer, only the right answer for your own solar panel project.
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