We test all kinds of pieces of solar gear here at The Solar Lab. From power stations and batteries to a $3,400 robotic solar panel stand that nobody really needed (yes, we’re talking about the EcoFlow Solar Tracker), we like to push everything through its paces.
With costs climbing across the board, price is more of a concern than ever. But when it comes to mounting your solar panels, strength, durability, and ease of use are just as important. That’s why over the past year, we’ve been hands-on with a wide range of solar panel ground mounts. Some impressed us, while others barely survived mounting solar panels on them.
So today, we’re ranking our top five solar panel ground mounts of 2025, from worst to best. If you want a DIY solar mount that won’t crumble after the first storm, this list is your roadmap.
We have individual reviews on all of these panels, so you can learn more if one of them stands out to you. For now, here's our top five solar panel ground mounts from worst to best:
When we first tested the Eco-Worthy Solar Panel Ground Mount, it seemed like a decent budget option. Wee ordered it on Amazon for about $110.
Today, the price seems to have risen to $139 (sometimes less with coupons), but that still feels like a steal for a metal solar panel mount.
However, once we actually assembled ours, the downsides started stacking up right away. The original version sagged immediately because it only came with two legs, one on each side. The newer version does include a center support leg, which explains the rise in price, but the materials are still incredibly flimsy
You can literally twist the metal with your bare hands, and if it isn’t secured perfectly, even a small storm can bend it out of shape.
Panel compatibility is also limited. You’ll only get four small panels on it (about 250W solar panels at most), or you could fit two larger panels. For temporary setups, it’s fine. But if you want a long-lasting solar panel stand, this one just doesn’t make the cut.
Honestly, you get what you pay for. If you want something that can actually last, you should probably spend a little extra money.
The PowerField PowerRacks, sold by Signature Solar, are interesting because they’re the only product we tested that works as both a temporary and permanent ground solar mount. At about $75 each, they’re also the cheapest option on this list.
The big advantage? They’re really portable. You can stack them in a truck, set them up quickly with sandbags or gravel, and tear them back down after an event or if you just don't need them anymore. But that versatility comes with trade-offs.
For starters, solar panel size compatibility is a nightmare. You need a very specific panel dimension to fit them, and none of the panels we had at The Solar Lab even worked with it out of the box (and we have a lot of panels)
The panels are also held in place with plastic clips instead of bolts, which raises durability concerns in extreme weather. Add in the cost of fill material (rocks, sand, gravel), which is needed to actually weigh the stands down, as well as the fact that they sit very low to the ground (snow clearance is a real problem), and the savings don’t look as good as they first appear.
They’re definitely going to be a very practical and budget-friendly option for certain applications, and we really do appreciate how portable they are, but those limitations are too noticeable for them to be any higher on our list.
If you want a serious, industrial-grade solar ground mount, the Chiko GroundFlex is our heavyweight champion.
Ours was a 30-panel system that cost about $5,100 (not including footings), though a smaller 10-panel kit is available for about half that price.
This system is rock solid and extremely scalable. You can start with 10 panels, then add more sections later without really having to modify anything.
It also works with a huge range of solar panel sizes. Even our 415W Sirius Bifacial Panels looked tiny on it, and it can easily handle setups that use the largest solar panel wattage.
The downsides? Installation is a nightmare. The instructions are vague, the diagrams don’t always match the parts, and we had to make multiple trips to the hardware store because ours was missing some bits of hardware.
Some of the parts also arrived over-galvanized, requiring sanding and adjustments, which we just skipped in favor of ground screws we found at the hardware store. Watch our installation video if you want to see just how much of a headache it was for us.
If you have the patience (and budget) for it, the Chiko GroundFlex is an excellent permanent system. It’s also something that can grow with you, and we’ll likely use it to test a huge range of solar panels in the future. But for those who just want to install a basic DIY solar power system, expect frustration along the way.
These days, the EG4 Bright Mount can be a little bit difficult to get your hands on. It tends to be in and out of stock, with some people getting lucky, while others can't seem to order one.
According to EG4, this is because they are preparing a new version, so they're phasing out the older model. Still, it's one of the most popular solar panel mounts ever made.
When we first tested it, it was about $250 with a discount code, though the newer price seems to hover closer to $359.
Availability issues aside, this all-aluminum ground mount impressed us from the moment we set it up. It’s lightweight but strong, adjustable for seasonal solar tilt angles, and came with a proper ground screw (something even the $5,000 Chiko GroundFlex didn’t include).
Setup also took less than an hour and felt genuinely DIY-friendly. Since setting it up, ours has gone through snow piles and high winds, and it hasn’t bent or sagged at all.
The only complaints were a beginner-unfriendly manual (lots of references to bolt sizes instead of labeled parts), missing mid-clamps for certain panel configurations, and the fact that it only has a single footing. That last point means it really needs to be mounted to a solid base like concrete, otherwise it’s going to wobble pretty heavily.
Still, for the price, quality, and ease of use, the EG4 Bright Mount earns a well-deserved second place finish. We're also excited to see what they end up doing with the updated version (whenever they finally release it).
Topping our list is the IntegraRack IR-30 Solar Panel Mount. It’s a system that’s versatile, durable, and surprisingly affordable.
At about $119 per leg, it’s not much more expensive than the PowerField PowerRacks, but it’s in another league when it comes to performance.
Made of lightweight aluminum and stainless steel, the IntegraRack is compatible with virtually any solar panel size, including solar panels up to 800W.
Setup only takes minutes: drop the uprights into the runner, bolt them in place, and you’re done. Unlike fixed-spacing systems, the footing positions are also fully adjustable, so you can mount different panel sizes side by side.
Even if you have PV modules that are different sizes and made by various solar panel manufacturers, you won’t have any issues. This is perfect if you just want to start out with the panels you have on hand, then purchase more in the future as your solar power needs and budget grow.
It’s also very portable, with compact packaging that makes it easy to transport to off-grid sites by foot or ATV. If you add the optional adjustable arms, you also gain the ability to easily tweak the tilt for winter or summer.
In our ongoing testing, the solar panel stands have handled every size panel we’ve thrown at them. They've also stood up to some pretty extreme weather. On top of all of that, these things also just looks really clean and professional, even after facing some pretty harsh storms and wind speeds.
The only gripe? The grounding spikes they include needs to be drilled and filled with an included epoxy, which isn’t practical for people (like us) who want a portable setup they can move around the yard throughout the year. We ended up cutting ours to make them easier to just drive into the ground, rather than fix in place.
Aside from that tiny issue with the grounding spikes, this is hands down our favorite of all the solar panel mounting systems we’ve tested, which is pretty crazy given the affordable price point. It's a really solid buy we'd recommend to anyone.
If you’re just starting a DIY solar project, don’t waste your money on flimsy mounts that won’t last. The IntegraRack IR-30 is our top solar panel ground mount kit, offering unbeatable versatility and value. It’s so cheap and sturdy that we’d even say you’d struggle to build your own DIY solar mount cheaper.
If you’re looking for something a little more polished, the EG4 Bright Mount is another excellent choice (if you can order it). For large-scale, permanent installations, the Chiko GroundFlex can still be worth the investment—just budget extra time (and patience) for installation.
And if you’re really pinching pennies, or you just want something temporary, the EcoWorthy and PowerField PowerRacks can work, but don’t expect them to hold up the same way long-term.
No matter which route you take, investing in a reliable solar panel mounting system is one of the most important parts of building a durable solar power system. Strong mounts mean less maintenance, better efficiency, and peace of mind knowing your panels are safe in any weather.
We test solar products so you don’t have to. Check out our opinions and which units we think are worth your money and which ones aren't.
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