Every factory has a roof and most have a yard. Which one the solar goes on decides cost, output and how much trouble the array is for the next twenty years.
Key facts
- Rooftop: no land used, shorter cables, but needs a structural check and adds maintenance access issues.
- Ground-mount: easier to clean and service, better tilt, but uses land and needs fencing.
- A 250 kW array needs roughly 1,500 m² of roof or 3,000–4,000 m² of ground.
- Water tanks, vents and neighbouring buildings can shade a roof array more than owners expect.
Roof questions
Can the structure carry 15–20 kg/m²? Is the sheeting sound for 20 years? Is there shading from tanks, vents or the next building at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., not just noon? Can cleaners get up safely? A yes to all four makes rooftop the cheaper choice.
Ground questions
Is the land yours for the contract term? Can it be fenced and kept clear of dust and vegetation? Is it within cable distance of the main board? Ground arrays are easier to keep clean — which in dusty areas is worth 5–10% of output — and are the usual choice for mills and camps with space.
Mixed is common
Many sites put the first 100–250 kW on the roof and the rest on the ground. The audit measures both and prices both.
Have a roof or a yard? Send photos for a first assessment.
Talk to Frontières BayFrequently asked
Will panels damage my roof?
Not with the right mounting; we survey the structure and use clamp systems on standing-seam roofs, ballast on flat ones.
What about theft?
Ground arrays are fenced and monitored; panel-level monitoring flags a missing string immediately.