Siting Your Ground-Mount Solar Array for Sun and Shade
Last verified: September 2026
A ground mount lets you choose where the panels go — so choose sun. Here's how to find the sunniest, most sensible spot in your yard, dodge the shade that steals power, and balance sun against distance. No numbers guessed. Questions? Call (330) 200-8042.
Finding the Sunniest Spot
A ground mount lets you put the panels where the sun is best, not where your roof happens to face — so the spot you choose matters as much as the panels. You want open exposure to the sun, generally toward the south, and as little shade as possible, because even a small shadow can cost real production. Midday sun matters most, and you have to think across the seasons: the winter sun rides low and throws long shadows that can reach a spot that looked perfect in summer. Watch for shade that isn't there yet, too — young trees grow. A good installer confirms it all with a proper shade study, and you'll balance the sunniest spot against how far it sits from your panel. No degrees or distances are guessed here. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 Which direction should a ground array face?
Generally toward the south here, to catch the most sun through the day. The exact aim and tilt are set by your installer for our latitude — your job is just to find an open spot facing the sun, clear of shade.
2 How much does shade hurt a solar array?
More than folks expect. Because of how panels work, even a small shadow can cost production out of proportion to its size, especially at midday when the sun is strongest. When two spots compete, the clearer one usually wins.
3 Why does the winter sun matter for siting?
In winter the sun rides low across the sky all day and throws long shadows. A spot that's sunny in summer can sit in the shade of a tree line or building in winter — so a spot has to be sunny across the seasons, which is what a good shade study checks.
4 My best sun is far from the house — does that matter?
It's a trade-off. A far spot means a longer trench to run the wiring back to your panel, which adds cost. Sometimes the extra sun is worth it; sometimes a closer, slightly shadier spot is the smarter buy. Our trenching guide covers the run.
5 Do I have to cut down trees for solar?
Sometimes clearing a tree opens up the sun — but never take a big tree down yourself. Hire a professional arborist; tree removal is genuinely dangerous. And plan around the shade you control, since you can't count on a neighbor's trees coming down.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Not sure whether your yard has a genuinely sunny spot — or which of several spots is best? Before you spend a dime, I'll help you think through your trees, buildings, sun, and distance in plain English with nothing to sell you. $99 flat for a visit, 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).