What should I consider when evaluating a property for ground-mount or carport solar?

Ground-mount and carport solar systems can often produce more energy than rooftop installations because they allow more control over panel orientation and tilt. However, they typically cost more upfront due to additional labor, permitting, and materials. Here's what to evaluate before moving forward.

For ground-mount systems, start with property identification. Know your site's boundaries by identifying your parcel identification number or lot documentation. Your project might span one or more parcels, and you need to confirm you have the legal right to develop on each. Some utility incentive programs restrict projects or generation to a single contiguous parcel.

Check whether your proposed site falls within a flood plain using FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. Solar arrays in flood zones face obvious risks and may not be insurable or financeable.

An environmental assessment (EA) may be required if your project involves land clearing that could impact wildlife, habitat, or cultural sites. Your solar provider should be able to tell you whether local, state, or federal regulations require one. For utility-scale projects, EAs can be performed voluntarily even when not mandated.

A geotechnical report characterizes the rock, soil, and groundwater conditions at your site. This information affects foundation design, construction feasibility, and cost estimates. Geotech reports are usually required for permitting applications, so getting one done early avoids delays.

For carport systems, clearance height is a key consideration. The structure needs to accommodate the tallest vehicles that will use the area, including emergency vehicles and service trucks. Higher structures require more material (typically steel), driving up costs. Local jurisdictions may also impose height limits or setback requirements.

Conduit and trenching runs — the paths electrical wiring travels from the panels to your building's electrical equipment — need to be planned around underground and above-ground obstructions. And don't overlook user experience: people will be parking under this structure daily, so details like lighting, parking spot dimensions, and column spacing matter.