DIY Ground Mounts for Solar Panels

Measure the length and width of the solar panel that you plan to mount. Cut angle bars with a reciprocating saw to fit the length and width of the panel so the ends of each angle bar are flush with the corresponding ends of the solar panel.

Position the angle bars to form a rectangular bracket with the end of each bar overlapping the adjacent bars to form an L-shaped channel. Place the solar panel inside the bracket to ensure it fits snugly and then drill holes in the overlapping ends. Next fasten the angle brackets together using the machine screws, washers and lock nuts.

Measure and cut two angle bars to a length equal with the length of your solar panel or the desired height for the top of the solar panel. Stand one of the cut bars up and measure from the top of the bar down to the ground at a 45-degree angle. Cut a second pair of angle bars to this length.

Stand the angle bars up and overlap the top ends so that they form a U when viewed from above. Mark and drill holes where the bars overlap and fasten together two pairs of legs using one bar of each length per pair. Pull the bottoms of the legs apart so that they form a triangle with the short leg standing straight up and the longer leg sticking out.

Use a flat bar to mark lines parallel with the ground on the bottom of each leg of the A frame. Measure the distance between the bottom of each pair of legs and cut two angle bars to that length. Cut these bars so they overlap the sides of the legs.

Cut the bottoms of the legs along the horizontal markings so that the A-frame rests flat on the ground. Place the two horizontal angle bars on the ground and connect one pair of legs to the ends of each bar. Insert screws through the side of the horizontal angle bar and into the side of each leg.

Measure the length of the square frame for the solar panel. Mark spots for screw holes on the short legs of the A-frame equal to the length of the square frame plus twice the width of your flat bar. Measure the width of the square frame and cut two flat bars to match it. Mount the flat bar you cut to each hole in the legs so that the two sides of the A-frame are connected. Drill holes an inch above the horizontal supports on the bottom of the frame and mount the second flat bar using only a screw.

Measure and cut another section of flat bar that will reach from one of the unsecured screws to center of the horizontal bar above it. Mark the spot in the center of the horizontal flat bar you measured from and drill a screw hole there. Drill holes in both ends of the flat bar you just cut and mount it to the unsecured screw and the hole in the center of the upper horizontal bar.

Install washers and lock nuts on all of the screws and tighten all of the fasteners in the frame. Place the bracket for the solar panel flat against the long legs of the frame so that the top of the frame reaches the upper end of the legs. Mark matching holes on the bracket and each leg near the top and bottom of the bracket. Drill these holes and line up the bracket with the holes on the legs before mounting the bracket to the legs.