| Take a good look at the materials before you purchase. If the pickets are nailed in with two nails, side by side in one picket you would have much difficulty in racking the section. If the sections are made cheap they may be nailed in with only one nail per picket, per rail. That being the case you would able to acheive between 8 -12 inches racking per section. If your yard drops down in grade more than 12 inches per 8 feet I would suggest going along with the step method of installing.
And if this is the method that you need to install with you would need longer posts. You would not be able to use the typical 4x4x 8' post. You would have to purchase at least 10 foot posts, cutting off the excess as need be.
If this solid panel of fencing that you are purchasing is a board on board (shaddow box) or basket weave style, you would definitly need to step the sections as you go. Racking board on board or basket weave is near impossible unless stick built on site. And even then, the basket weave would not be an option.
Keep in mind that if you step a solid fence, there will be gaps at the bottom that need some sort of filling. Most folks use a bush , decorative stones and or I have even seen firewood stored in line with the fence. I guess it all depends on what you like to look at. If you need to have a dog enclosed, you would be more limited in your options to fill the void.
Good luck,
Gregs Fence~  | 
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