Can You Build a Solar Carport or Ground Mount on a Slope?

Short answer: Yes.

At BC Solar, we’ve helped homeowners and businesses across Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding areas install solar systems on a variety of terrains — including sloped lots. If your property isn’t perfectly flat, that doesn’t mean solar is off the table.

Let’s walk through how it works — and what you need to know.

We Build for the Land You Have

Not every site is plug-and-play. That’s why we don’t offer cookie-cutter installs.

If your lot has a slope, we’ll evaluate:

• Grade and angle of the slope

• Soil stability

• Drainage and erosion patterns

• Accessibility and space for equipment

From there, we design a custom solar solution using one or both of these options:

1. Tiered Foundation Mounts

We install multiple rows at stepped heights, leveling each row to keep panels optimally aligned to the sun. Think of it like a terraced garden, but for solar panels.

2. Adjustable Racking Systems

Our ground mount systems can use adjustable steel or aluminum racking to ensure panels sit level — even on uneven ground.

If you're looking at a solar carport and your parking area is sloped, we’ll engineer custom supports that safely anchor into the existing grade.

Will It Cost More?

It can — depending on the steepness of the slope and the need for additional supports, excavation, or concrete work. But we’ll walk you through every line of the estimate before anything begins.

No surprises. No sales fluff. Just honest answers based on your land and your goals.

Real Talk: When It Might Not Be Worth It

If your slope is extremely steep or prone to erosion, the cost of stabilization might outweigh the energy savings. In those cases, we’ll tell you straight — and explore other options, like a rooftop system or offset solar using a flatter section of your property.

We won’t recommend anything we wouldn’t do for our own homes.

FAQ

Q: How steep is too steep for a solar ground mount or carport?
A: It depends. We’ve built on slopes greater than 20%, but it requires more engineering and sometimes retaining walls. After a site visit, we’ll let you know what’s structurally sound and cost-effective.

Q: Does a sloped lot affect solar panel performance?
A: Not if it’s designed right. We level the panels regardless of the ground angle to keep them facing true south with the correct tilt.

Q: Can you also install batteries with a sloped system?
A: Absolutely. Whether it’s a Sol-Ark system with hybrid batteries or a Tesla Powerwall, slope doesn’t limit battery options.

Serving Columbus with Integrity

We’re proud to be locally owned and operated, and we don’t take shortcuts. If you’re in Columbus, Westerville, Dublin, Grove City, or anywhere nearby — let’s take a look at your site and talk about what makes sense.

Call us at (614) 442-9700 or schedule a consultation.

We’ll give you real answers, not a pitch.