Ground Mounts for Solar Panels

A ground mount holds your solar panels on a steel pipe rack in the yard instead of on the roof. It's the better choice when the roof is shaded, faces the wrong way, can't take the load or more penetrations, or when you have open land and want to set the tilt for more production.

Read more about Ground Mounts for Solar Panels

This page carries IronRidge ground-mount parts for 2" and 3" Schedule 40 pipe: cast aluminum top caps, bonded rail connectors for XR100/XR1000 rails (XR100 rail listed; XR1000 by quote), diagonal braces, a brace sleeve and brace hardware. You buy the pipe locally. XR rails and UFO module clamps are in solar panel mounts, and if the roof is still an option, compare metal roof mounts.

Not sure what your rack needs? Request a written quote with your panel model, panel count and site notes, and we'll confirm a full bill of materials before you order.

9 products

Currently listed (IronRidge ground-mount hardware): top cap for 2" pipe (70-0200-SGA) and top cap for 3" pipe (70-0300-SGA), bonded rail connectors for 2" and 3" Schedule 40 pipe (GM-BRC2 / GM-BRC3), diagonal braces for 2" pipe (88.5" and 106.5") and 3" pipe (87"), the 2" brace sleeve (GM-DB2-SLV01) and diagonal brace hardware (GM-DB-HW01). The 3" brace sleeve (GM-DB3-SLV01-M1) is not currently listed, so a 3" brace can't be completed from this page; include it in a quote request. Schedule 40 pipe is usually sourced locally, and XR rails and UFO clamps are also needed. Listings change over time; request a written quote with your module count and site notes, and we will confirm a bill of materials before you order.

Metal roof (S-5!) vs IronRidge ground mount

  • Metal roof + S-5! — keep the array on the building when structure, sun, and warranty allow; start on Metal Roof Mounts, which explains when S-5! clamps are enough and when to add rails.
  • IronRidge ground mount — pipe rack in the yard when shade, overload, bad orientation, or service access rules out the roof; this page stocks the IronRidge ground hardware.
  • Not the same comparison as S-5! vs IronRidge on metal — on metal roofs S-5! is usually the attach and IronRidge XR the rail stack (often together). On the ground, IronRidge is the pipe/rack system itself.

When a ground mount beats a roof mount

  • Shade or poor roof orientation — place the array where the sun actually hits, not where the roof faces.
  • Roof structure or warranty limits — avoid penetrations or loads the deck cannot take; metal roofs may still be fine with the right metal roof mounts.
  • Large open yards / fields — ground racks scale cleaner for bigger arrays and easier service access.
  • Tilt optimization — IronRidge ground mounts support a wide tilt range via the Design Assistant so you can trade structure cost vs annual kWh.

Roof still wins when the deck is strong, unshaded, and correctly oriented — browse roof mounts and metal roof mounts first in that case.

IronRidge ground-mount stack (what you order)

  • Pipe structure — Schedule 40 steel pipe (2" or 3") sourced locally for legs and cross members.
  • Top caps + rail connectors — connect pipe to XR rails; bonded connectors (GM-BRC2 / GM-BRC3) secure and bond the rail to the pipe.
  • XR rails + UFO mid/end clamps — hold and bond the modules (see Solar Panel Mounts).
  • Diagonal braces — each brace is a tube plus two sleeves and one GM-DB-HW01 hardware kit, for when wind/snow or span needs extra support.
  • Design Assistant — walk soil, tilt, and module size in IronRidge's tool before locking the BOM.

What to buy with ground mounts

Shop related gear

FAQ

Do I need a full IronRidge ground-mount kit on this page?

No. This page lists the IronRidge pipe hardware: top caps, bonded rail connectors, diagonal braces, a brace sleeve and brace hardware. Most projects also need Schedule 40 pipe (local), XR rails and module clamps from the mounts category. Request a written quote with your module count and site notes for a complete bill of materials.

2" vs 3" Schedule 40 pipe — which should I use?

Pipe size follows IronRidge Design Assistant output for span, snow/wind, and module layout. Match bonded rail connectors to the pipe you choose (GM-BRC2 for 2", GM-BRC3 for 3"). Do not mix connector size and pipe size.

Ground mount vs metal roof mount — how do I decide?

For metal roof vs ground mount (including S-5! metal roof vs IronRidge ground mount): use metal roof mounts with S-5! when the roof is strong, unshaded, and warranty-friendly; choose this IronRidge ground-mount page when shade, orientation, roof load, or access makes the yard better. S-5! vs IronRidge on a metal roof is an attach-vs-rail question — compare the options on Metal Roof Mounts.

Can I use the IronRidge Design Assistant?

Yes — IronRidge's Design Assistant walks soil conditions, tilt, rails, clamps, top caps, and braces. Include that output in your quote request so we can confirm what we can supply and what to source locally.

Can altE help size a ground-mount BOM?

Yes. Share module model/count, site photos, soil/frost notes, and target tilt. Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00 for one hour of personalized help.

Questions about ground mounts, IronRidge pipe hardware, or a full racking bill of materials? Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00 for one hour of personalized help. altE has served DIY and pro installers since 1999.

IronRidge ground-mount hardware for pipe racks (top caps, bonded rail connectors and brace parts) so you can place the array where sun and structure allow, not only where the roof faces.

Need help choosing ground mounts?

1) Choose the appropriate Clamps & Grounding:

Midclamps Midclamp Thumbnail Image

  • Universal Fastening Object UFO
  • Bonds the modules to the rails

Endclamps Endclamp Thumbnail Image

  • UFO stopper sleeves (sized to module frame width) snap onto a UFO to make a bonded end clamp; they are not currently listed, so include them in a quote request
  • CAMO hidden end clamp (CAMO-01-M1), for modules whose frame flange meets IronRidge's CAMO dimensions; confirm fit for each module on the CAMO product page

Grounding Grounding Thumbnail Image

  • Only one grounding lug per row
  • Microinverter bonding kit

2) Source locally the 2" or 3" Schedule 40 Steel Pipe, and choose the appropriate Top Caps and Rail Connectors:

Top Cap Ground Mount Top Cap Thumbnail Image

  • Cast aluminum (ALMAG 535)
  • Secures quickly and easily to Schedule 40 Pipe
  • Connects vertical and cross pipes

Rail Connector Rail Connector Thumbnail Image

  • Bonded connectors with hardware
  • 2 connectors per rail, secures and bonds the rail to the pipe

3) Need extra support? Choose the brace parts:

Brace Assembly Ground Mount Brace Kit Thumbnail Image

  • 2 pipe sleeves, 1 diagonal brace and 1 hardware kit, each sold separately
  • Only needed for installations requiring add'l support

Diagonal Brace

  • The brace is the tube only. Each brace also needs two sleeves and one GM-DB-HW01 hardware kit, sold separately, for installation between one north and south pair of support legs

See our Video with IronRidge as we cover the basics of their SGA ground mount solution.