Ground Mounts for Solar Panels

In stock now (IronRidge ground-mount hardware): bonded rail connectors for 2" and 3" Schedule 40 pipe (GM-BRC2 / GM-BRC3) and diagonal brace hardware (GM-DB-HW01). Schedule 40 pipe is usually sourced locally; top caps, rails, UFO clamps, and brace kits complete the BOM. Available mounts 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 and Compare S-5! vs IronRidge on Metal Roof Mounts.
• 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).
• Brace hardware — diagonal brace kits when wind/snow or span needs extra support.
• Design Assistant — walk soil, tilt, and module size in IronRidge's tool (steps preserved below) before locking the BOM.

What to buy with ground mounts

• Solar panels — frame thickness and module count drive clamp size, rail span, and pipe layout.
• Solar panels by the pallet — bulk modules for larger ground arrays.
• Solar panel mounts — XR rails, UFO clamps, bonding hardware that finish the rack.
• Cable & wiring — PV wire, MC4, and longer home-runs from the array to the inverter.
• Solar inverters — hybrid, micro, grid-tie, or off-grid conversion.
• Solar batteries — storage when backup or off-grid autonomy is in scope.

Shop related gear

• Solar panel mounts — roof, ground, and racking category
• Metal roof mounts — S-5! clamps when the roof is still the better path
• Solar panels — modules to size with the rack
• Solar panels by the pallet — bulk for larger ground arrays
• Cable & wiring — PV interconnects and home-runs
• Solar inverters — hybrid, micro, grid-tie, off-grid
• Hybrid inverters — grid + battery platforms
• Microinverters — Enphase IQ8 panel-level AC
• Solar batteries — storage when backup is required
• Solar power systems — kits and system browse

FAQ

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

This page currently lists the IronRidge pipe hardware we stock (rail connectors and brace hardware). Most projects also need Schedule 40 pipe (local), top caps, 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 on Metal Roof Mounts — S-5! vs IronRidge. If you are deciding, review roof and site photos with a technician: Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00.

Can I use the IronRidge Design Assistant?

Yes — the steps and tool link below walk 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. altE has served DIY and pro installers since 1999.

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 — 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?

• Run the IronRidge Design Assistant (steps below), then match pipe size to rail connectors.
• Browse solar panels and cable & wiring to complete the array path.
• See the main solar panel mounts category for XR rails and clamps; compare metal roof mounts if the roof is still viable.
• More DIY guides: DIY Solar Resources Library.
• Request a written quote with your site details for a bill of materials.

1) Click on the IronRidge Design Assistant Tool for Ground Mounts..

2) Choose your XR 1000 Rail:

XR1000 Rail

• Heavyweight mounting rail for ground mounts
• Up to 12' spanning capability
• Extreme load capability

3) Choose the appropriate Clamps & Grounding:

Midclamps

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

Endclamps

• Stoppers snap onto a UFO
• Turns into a bonded endclamp
• Sized to module frame width
• NEW- CAMO Universal Endclamp fits all modules

Grounding

• Only one grounding lug per row
• Microinverter bonding kit
• Grounding strap, rows over 50ft

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

Top Cap

• Heavy duty cast steel
• Secures quickly and easily to Schedule 40 Pipe
• Connects vertical and cross pipes

Rail Connector

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

5) Need extra support? Choose the appropriate Brace Assembly Kit:

Brace Assembly

• 2 pipe sleeves, diagonal brace, hardware
• Only needed for installations requiring add'l support

Diagonal Brace

• Pieces include the brace, sleeves, and hardware 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.