Got a Shaded Roof? Here's Your Solar Option
A shaded roof doesn't mean you can't go solar. If you have available land with better sun exposure than your roof, ground mount solar gives you the production a rooftop system can't deliver.
Why Roof Shade Is a Problem
Solar panels need direct sunlight. When even a small portion of a panel is shaded, production drops dramatically—often more than you'd expect.
Here's why: solar panels are wired in series, meaning electricity flows through each cell in sequence. A shaded cell acts like a kink in a garden hose—it restricts flow for the entire string. A panel that's 10% shaded might lose 50% or more of its output, not just 10%.
Common shade sources that affect rooftops:
- Trees: The most common issue. Nearby trees cast shadows that move throughout the day and change seasonally. Winter shadows extend farther than summer shadows.
- Neighboring buildings: Taller structures to the south, east, or west can shade your roof during key production hours.
- Chimneys and dormers: Features on your own roof create shadows that affect nearby panels.
- Power lines and poles: These create thin shadows that move across the roof throughout the day.
The Ground Mount Solution
Ground mount systems let you put panels where the sun is, not where your house happens to be. If you have even a quarter acre of reasonably clear land, you can likely find a spot that gets full sun while your roof sits in shade.
Consider a typical scenario: your house sits surrounded by mature trees. The roof gets dappled sunlight at best—maybe 4-5 hours of direct sun on a good day. But 50 feet behind the house, past the tree line, there's an open area with clear southern exposure.
A ground mount system in that open area could produce 50-100% more power than the same panels on your shaded roof. The extra production over 25 years easily justifies the additional upfront cost of a ground mount installation.
Is Your Yard Actually Sunnier?
Before assuming ground mount solves your shade problem, verify that your proposed installation site actually gets better sun than your roof. Key things to check:
The 9 AM to 3 PM Window
Visit your proposed site during these hours on a sunny day. This is when solar panels produce most of their power. The site should be shade-free for this entire window, ideally year-round. Remember that the sun is lower in winter—shadows extend farther.
Future Tree Growth
Trees that don't shade the site now might shade it in 10 years. A 25-foot tree today could be 50 feet tall when your system is halfway through its life. Factor in growth patterns for existing trees, especially on neighboring properties you can't control.
Winter Sun Angle
The sun is much lower in winter. Objects to the south that don't shade the site in July may cast long shadows in December. If you're evaluating a site in summer, account for this difference.
Use a Sun Path Tool
Smartphone apps can simulate the sun's path throughout the year at your location. Point your phone at the site and see where shadows will fall in different seasons. Installers use professional shade analysis tools for accurate assessment.
What If You Don't Want to Cut Trees?
Many homeowners value their trees and don't want to remove them for solar. Ground mount offers a middle path: keep your trees and put panels elsewhere.
This works especially well when:
- Trees provide valuable summer cooling for your house
- The trees have aesthetic or sentimental value
- Removal would be expensive (large trees can cost thousands)
- Trees are on neighboring property
- Local ordinances protect the trees
In some cases, selective trimming rather than removal can improve roof exposure enough for a partial rooftop system. An arborist can advise on what's possible without harming the trees.
Comparing Your Options
If your roof is shaded, you generally have three paths forward:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Remove trees, go rooftop | Lower system cost | Tree removal cost, loss of shade/aesthetics |
| Install rooftop with microinverters | No tree removal, lower upfront cost | Reduced production, longer payback |
| Ground mount in sunny area | Maximum production, keep trees | Higher upfront cost, uses yard space |
The Economics of Shade vs. Ground Mount
Let's look at real numbers. Assume you want to offset 10,000 kWh per year of electricity usage:
Scenario A: Shaded rooftop with microinverters
- Due to shade, production is 75% of optimal
- Need 13.3 kW system to produce 10,000 kWh
- Cost: ~$40,000-$47,000
Scenario B: Ground mount in full sun
- Production at 100% of optimal
- Need 10 kW system to produce 10,000 kWh
- Cost: ~$25,000-$40,000
In this example, the ground mount system costs about the same or less while producing the same amount of power. The math varies based on your specific shade situation, but significant shading often tips the economics toward ground mount.
Hybrid Approaches
You don't have to choose exclusively between roof and ground. Some homeowners combine both:
- Partial rooftop + ground mount: Put panels on the sunny portions of your roof and add a small ground mount array to make up the difference.
- Garage or outbuilding roof: If your house roof is shaded but a detached garage or barn has clear exposure, that might be your best rooftop option.
- Carport or pergola mount: Some homeowners build a new structure specifically to hold solar panels, combining shade structure with power generation.
Space Requirements
A ground mount system to offset an average home's electricity needs requires roughly 400-800 square feet of clear land. You need more space when you factor in setback requirements from property lines.
If you have at least 0.25 acres with a sunny spot, you likely have room for a residential ground mount system. Properties under a quarter acre can work if the site geometry is favorable.
Next Steps
If your roof is shaded and you have land with better sun exposure, ground mount solar is worth exploring. Here's how to proceed:
- Identify potential sites on your property with clear southern exposure
- Check for shade during the 9 AM to 3 PM window (in multiple seasons if possible)
- Review your property survey for setback requirements and easements
- Estimate your system size based on your electricity usage and get cost estimates
- Get quotes from local installers who do ground mount work