Ground-mounted solar for UK businesses — sizing, planning and cost
Ground-mount is the right answer when your roof is too weak, too small, or already spoken for — and it's the only route to multi-MW scale. Here's what it costs, how much land it needs, and what planning to expect.
Typical ground-mount system sizes
100–250 kWp (0.4–1 acre)
Yard corners, unused paddocks, storage compounds. £110k–£260k installed. Payback 6–8 years with high self-consumption.
500 kWp – 1 MW (2–4 acres)
The sweet spot for private-wire supply to a factory or logistics hub. £450k–£850k. Payback 5–7 years.
1–5 MW (4–20 acres)
Full planning application territory. £700–£850/kWp installed. Typical for farm diversification and estate landowners.
5 MW+ (20+ acres)
Requires a substation upgrade and 12–24 month grid connection. Usually PPA-funded rather than owner-financed.
Planning and land use
Local policies vary widely. Councils increasingly favour brownfield, contaminated or lower-grade agricultural land. Ecological surveys, glint-and-glare studies and drainage assessments are standard. Budget 6–9 months for a 1–5 MW planning cycle.
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FAQ
How much land does 1 MW of ground-mounted solar need?
About 4 acres for fixed-tilt UK installations at typical 40° row spacing. Single-axis tracking pushes this to 5–6 acres but adds 15–25% yield.
Do I need planning permission for ground-mounted solar in the UK?
Anything over 50 kW on non-domestic land requires full planning permission. Under 1 MW is usually determined by the district council; over 1 MW may need county or Secretary of State involvement.
Can I put solar on Grade 3 agricultural land?
Yes — Grade 3b (moderate quality) is the sweet spot. Grades 1, 2 and 3a (best and most versatile) face stricter policy tests and often refusal. A Land Classification Assessment is required.
Is ground-mount cheaper than rooftop?
Per kWp installed, ground-mount at 500 kWp+ is 15–25% cheaper than rooftop (£700–£850/kWp vs £900–£1,100). But rooftop wins on land cost, planning risk and self-consumption when generation matches on-site demand.
How long does ground-mounted solar last?
Same as rooftop — 30–40 years on the modules, 10–15 on inverters, 25+ on the mounting structure. Grazing sheep underneath is common and helps maintenance.
Get a ground-mount feasibility for your land
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