BrightMount Solar Panel Ground Mount Review - Why Is It So Popular?

Solar panel mounts may not get the same spotlight as other solar components, but if you've ever dealt with a flimsy mount that struggled to support the weight of the solar panels it was designed to hold, you know how important a solid ground mount can be.

Enter the EG4 BrightMount, one of the more popular solar panel ground mounts out there. At a price of $279, which can be brought down to $254 with a discount code, it's not exactly the cheapest option out there—but is it worth the extra hundred or so bucks compared to cheap mounts? Let’s dive into this review and see if it lives up to the hype or if you’re better off rolling the dice with a generic $100 Amazon option.

Our First Impressions

Right out of the gate, we were impressed with the size of the package we received. Unlike other ground mounts that ship in smaller boxes and end up being really lightweight and flimsy, the EG4 BrightMount immediately seemed like it was bigger and made from higher quality materials.

The individual components have a really sturdy feel, and you can tell right away you’re dealing with a well-made product. This is a really different experience than when you first get your hands on some of the cheaper alternatives. Another one of the first things we noticed is the fact that the aluminum is thick, strong, and doesn’t have that “bendable” quality you find in cheaper mounts. 

For the purpose of this review, we wanted to test the quality against a direct comparison, so we grabbed one of those $100 Amazon solar panel stands—the type that feels like you could bend the parts with your bare hands—and, unsurprisingly, it was night and day. Basically, the EG4 components feel premium, like they’re made to last, while the cheap Amazon stand seems borderline disposable. 

With that said, our excitement dipped a little bit when we realized the package didn’t come with any type of physical instruction manual. Sure, you can download them to your phone or computer, but a printed manual would have been nice. It might seem like a minor gripe, but still, if you’re someone who likes flipping through a physical booklet while building something, you might be a little disappointed. Plus, this is supposed to be a premium product, why are they skimping on such a low-cost inclusion?

Assembling the EG4 BrightMount

Despite the lack of an instruction manual, the assembly process is pretty straightforward. You start by mounting the little U brackets to the arms, then move on to the legs, which are actually pretty interesting compared to what you get with cheaper mounts. That’s because the legs come with adjustable sliders, so you can easily set the angle of your solar panels once you have them mounted. 

There's even a degree marker on the back to help you fine-tune the tilt, which is a really nice touch. Not having to just eyeball the angle and hope for the best is really helpful if you’re hoping to adjust your panels throughout the year so you can maximize the amount of sunlight they can absorb.

Once the legs are bolted to the base, you finish the frame by attaching the arms to complete the triangle-shaped stand. As we just mentioned, EG4 got really clever when they incorporated adjustable sliders into the design. They’re situated on the cross rails, which is where you’ll mount your panels, so securing and adjusting the panels is a breeze. You really don’t have to be super precise with your measurements—you can just slide the rails to fit your solar panels exactly where you want them to be. 

At this point in the assembly process, we had a moment of "engineering creativity" (aka building a wood base because we didn't want to have to permanently mount it in the yard). To do so, we grabbed a few standard 4x4s and made a four-piece base for the stand, ensuring everything was secure. The result? A surprisingly solid setup. 

Solar Panel Compatibility

Now, for the fun part—fitting the solar panels. The mount says it can only handle solar panels up to a certain size, but we wanted to push the limits. We figured a good test would be some of the larger 415W Bifacial Solar Panels that we picked up from Signature Solar, and despite them being larger than what the mount is technically rated for, we thought we could maybe get it to fit. Spoiler: it didn’t. 

But no worries, we then tested out six 200W Grape Solar Panels, and they fit perfectly. They’re smaller and don’t have that juicy 415W power rating, but they’re still a solid choice. Plus, the combined 1,200W power rating is nothing to sneeze at. 

What We Didn’t Like About the EG4 Solar Panel Mount 

If you’re familiar with our review style, you know that we rarely find a product that we don't have at least a few issues with. Even when they’re minor dislikes, we still want to share them with you. So, before we get too carried away with praising this mount, let’s talk about a few of the things we were unimpressed with. 

First up, the lack of instructions. This might not seem like a big issue when they’re easy to download, and you could technically print them off yourself, but it’s still annoying for a more premium solar panel mount. 

On top of that, the instructions themselves are not exactly the most beginner-friendly. If you’ve never put together a solar panel mount, you might be scratching your head over which bolt goes where. The bolts aren’t labeled, and the instructions refer to them by size—so it can be difficult to tell the difference between something labeled an M8 x 70 bolt in the instructions, and another type. You’ll probably want to take your time when you put it together and maybe even keep a tape measure handy. 

Second, the adjustable sliders, which seemed like a really slick addition at first, turned into a bit of a nightmare during the assembly process. Basically, they’re too thin for the rails, so they have a tendency to pop out just when you think you’ve got everything lined up. It’s finicky, frustrating, and could definitely be improved, especially when you’re talking about a product that’s almost 300 bucks before you use a discount code.

Finally, and this one’s a bit of a head-scratcher: the BrightMount only comes with six middle mount brackets. For a stand that can hold six panels, that’s not quite enough. We ended up digging out a few extra brackets from a different stand we had reviewed in the past, but if you don’t have extras lying around, you’re going to need to order more if you want to fully load it with solar panels. Again, this is frustrating for a solar panel mount that costs almost three times as much as the cheap Amazon stands.

What We Liked About the EG4 BrightMount 

Despite the gripes listed above, there is still a lot to really like about this solar panel mount. For starters, it’s properly grounded. Each mounting point includes a washer with teeth that actually dig into both the panel and the mount, ensuring a solid connection. Plus, there’s a dedicated ground wire with a clamp, so your mounted solar array is fully grounded. It’s something you just don’t get with the cheap solar panel mounts. 

The adjustable legs are another win. For those of us that live in more northern latitudes, the ability to quickly and easily adjust the angle of the panels throughout the seasons is incredibly useful. All you have to do is undo four bolts, tilt the stand, and tighten everything back up. It’s really user-friendly. Again, it’s also something you don’t get with those cheap stands and mounts you can order from Amazon.

You also can’t talk about the EG4 BrightMount without mentioning the build quality. With four legs supporting the stand, it doesn’t sag or bow under the weight of the attached solar panels. This is true even if they’re supporting additional weight, like a buildup of snow. By comparison, the Amazon stand we also looked at seemed like it was already struggling after just a few days. 

On top of that, all the pieces of the EG4 lock together with grooves and textured connection points, so nothing feels flimsy or weak. This thing really feels like it was built to last. 

Our Final Verdict: Is the EG4 BrightMount Worth the Extra Cash?

So, is the EG4 BrightMount worth the hype and extra cost? In one word: yes! It’s not without its quirks (those sliders, man...), but if you’re looking for a reliable, sturdy, and adjustable ground mount that won’t buckle under the weight of your solar panels, or struggle with the elements, the EG4 is a great option.

Sure, the Amazon stands and mounts are cheaper, and if all you care about is getting your panels in the sun, they’ll do the job. But if you want something that feels solid and will actually last through the seasons, we feel that the EG4 is the way to go. 

Think about it this way, you invested good money into buying solar panels, why wouldn’t you pay a bit more to make sure that they’re actually supported properly? Your solar panels deserve better than a saggy mount.

🛒 Shop the EG4 Ground Mount:

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