Land Requirements
How Much Land Do You Need for Ground Mount Solar?
Calculate space requirements based on your electricity usage and system size goals.
The Quick Answer
Most residential ground mount systems need 300-600 square feet of clear, sunny space. That's roughly the size of a two-car garage footprint—or about 0.01 acres.
You don't need a ranch. You need a sunny patch of yard bigger than a large patio deck.
Space Requirements by System Size
Find your approximate electricity usage (check your bill), then see the system size and space you'll need.
| System | Panels | Space Needed | Annual kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | 12 | 250-280 sq ft | 7,500 |
| 6 kW | 14 | 300-340 sq ft | 9,000 |
| 8 kW | 19 | 400-450 sq ft | 12,000 |
| 10 kW | 23 | 500-560 sq ft | 15,000 |
| 12 kW | 28 | 600-680 sq ft | 18,000 |
| 15 kW | 35 | 750-850 sq ft | 22,500 |
| 20 kW | 46 | 1,000-1,150 sq ft | 30,000 |
Based on 400W panels and Texas average sun hours. Actual requirements vary by equipment and site conditions.
How Big Is That, Really?
1 Parking Space
~180 sq ft
≈ 4 panels
1-Car Garage
~250 sq ft
≈ 6 panels (5kW)
2-Car Garage
~450 sq ft
≈ 10 panels (8kW)
Average Pool
~600 sq ft
≈ 14 panels (12kW)
The typical Texas home needs a space about the size of a two-car garage footprint. If you have that much sunny yard, ground mount can work.
What Affects Space Requirements
The panel area itself is just part of it. Here's what goes into the total footprint:
Panel wattage
Higher-watt panels = fewer panels needed
Modern 400W panels need less space than older 300W panels
Row spacing
Required to prevent shading
Panels cast shadows—rows need 8-12 feet between them
Access paths
Maintenance access needed
Leave 3-4 feet on all sides for cleaning and service
Tilt angle
Steeper angle = more ground shadow
Texas systems typically use 25-35° tilt
Setbacks
Distance from property lines
Most jurisdictions require 5-15 feet from property lines
Panel Space vs. Total Footprint
There's a difference between the area the panels cover and the total ground footprint you'll need:
Panel Area
The actual panels. A 400W panel is about 21 sq ft. An 8kW system (19 panels) covers roughly 400 sq ft of panel surface.
Total Footprint
Add row spacing, access paths, and setbacks. That same 8kW system might need a 20x25 foot area (500 sq ft) on your property.
Rule of Thumb
Plan for roughly 100-120 square feet of ground area per kW of solar. So an 8kW system needs about 800-960 sq ft of ground space when you include everything. That's still less than 0.02 acres.
What If You're on the Edge?
Not sure if you have enough space? Here are some options:
Start Smaller, Expand Later
Install a smaller system now and add panels later. Ground mount is easier to expand than rooftop. Start with what fits and grow as your needs (or budget) allow.
Higher-Efficiency Panels
Premium 420-450W panels produce more power per square foot. They cost more, but fit more capacity in less space. Ask about high-efficiency options if space is tight.
Creative Placement
Panels can go in side yards, behind garages, or in other underused areas. We've put systems in some creative spots. A site visit reveals options you might not see on a map.
Hybrid Approach
Some homeowners put part of their system on the ground and part on the roof. It's more complex, but can maximize your total capacity when neither alone is sufficient.
Space Requirements FAQ
How much space does a typical residential system need?
Most Texas homes need 400-600 square feet for their solar system. That's roughly the footprint of a two-car garage. A 10kW system (common for larger homes) needs about 500 square feet of panel area, plus access space around it.
Do I need a full acre for ground mount solar?
No. Residential systems fit in much less space. You need about 1/100th of an acre (436 sq ft) for a typical 8kW system. We work with properties of 1+ acres because you need usable space after accounting for your house, yard, setbacks, and where you actually want to use your property.
What's the minimum usable space for ground mount?
The absolute minimum is around 250-300 square feet for a small 5kW system. But most homeowners want larger systems to offset more of their bill. Practically, you need 400-600 square feet of clear, sunny space to make ground mount worthwhile.
Can I use land that's not perfectly flat?
Yes. Ground mount racking can accommodate slopes up to about 15-20 degrees. Steeper slopes require more complex (and expensive) solutions. Minor undulation is usually fine—the racking is adjustable.
Does the space need to be contiguous?
Ideally yes, but not strictly required. You can split a system across two areas if needed, though this adds cost for additional trenching and electrical runs. A single array is simpler and more cost-effective.
Not Sure If You Have Enough Space?
Take our quick property check to find out if ground mount could work for you.
Check Your Property