Introduction

In 2022, driven by the dual goals of “carbon peak & neutrality” and the rural revitalization strategy, the agrivoltaic solar mounting industry experienced unprecedented development opportunities. As the core support system connecting photovoltaic power generation with modern agriculture, solar mounting is rapidly evolving from simple support to intelligent integration. During this year, China’s PV mounting market size reached RMB 19 billion, a year-on-year increase of 8.6%. At the same time, the large-scale deployment of innovative technologies such as flexible mounting and tracking systems in agricultural scenarios is profoundly reshaping the technical boundaries and business logic of agrivoltaics. This article systematically reviews the major technological breakthroughs, typical project practices, and policy trends in the agricultural solar mounting industry in 2022, providing a comprehensive reference for industry professionals.

I. Industry Background: Macro Drivers of Agrivoltaics

The rapid development of agrivoltaics in 2022 benefited from the convergence of multiple macro factors. On the policy front, on November 11, five ministries and commissions – the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the National Energy Administration – jointly issued the “Notice on Launching the Third Batch of Pilot Demonstration Activities for Smart Photovoltaics,” explicitly prioritizing agricultural applications. The notice called for the development of ecological composite models such as agrivoltaics and aquavoltaics in facility agriculture, large-scale cultivation, and aquaculture, establishing an effective distributed supply mechanism for “PV + agriculture” complementarity. This policy signal provided top-level support for the large-scale promotion of agrivoltaic projects.

At the same time, the “14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development” listed “PV+” comprehensive utilization as one of nine major actions, explicitly promoting agrivoltaics and aquavoltaics in the agricultural sector. Driven by the “carbon peak & neutrality” goals and the energy transition, the PV industry is developing vigorously. As a core component of PV power generation systems, solar mounting belongs to one of the seven strategic emerging industries that the state prioritizes for cultivation and development – the new energy industry.

On the international front, agrivoltaics showed accelerated global growth. According to Fraunhofer ISE data, by 2020, global installed agrivoltaic capacity exceeded 14 GW, with China taking a leading position. In Europe, Germany launched innovation tenders to promote agrivoltaic technology, France established the world’s first association dedicated to promoting agrivoltaics, and Italy pledged €1.1 billion to promote agrivoltaic technologies.

II. Panorama of Agricultural Solar Mounting Technology Routes in 2022

In 2022, the technology routes for agricultural solar mounting showed diversified development, with particularly notable penetration of flexible mounting and tracking systems in agricultural scenarios.

2.1 Flexible Mounting: A “Sharp Tool” for Solving Land-Use Dilemmas

Flexible mounting, characterized by “high clearance and large span,” quickly became a star technology in the agrivoltaic sector in 2022. Compared with traditional fixed mounting, flexible mounting uses a pre-stressed cable structure. The cable span is typically between 20 and 40 meters, reaching up to 100 meters. Modules can be mounted 2 to 30 meters above ground, offering the advantages of high clearance under modules and fewer pile foundations.

In June 2022, Tongwei New Energy implemented a 100 MW-scale full flexible mounting “aquavoltaic” project in Tianmen, Hubei Province. The flexible mounting achieved a maximum net span of 60 meters, requiring only 50 columns per MW, and steel consumption per MW was reduced to less than 15 tons – equivalent to 1/6 and 1/3 of conventional fixed mounting, respectively. This breakthrough not only significantly reduced steel and pile foundation usage but also, through large span and high clearance, provided ample space for agricultural operations, truly achieving “power generation above, farming/fishing below.”

In July 2022, GR Energy launched the “Neng Hui – Flexible Mounting,” specially designed for complex terrain. Composed of pre-stressed steel strands, lateral pull-resistant members, and central support columns, it uses a construction process of “suspension, tensioning, support, pressing, and bracing.” It can adapt to complex terrains with large spans, such as tidal flats, fish ponds, sewage treatment plants, and mountainous areas, effectively reducing impacts on fisheries and crops.

In December 2022, Huiyao Pinshang Energy Technology completed a tens of millions of RMB Series Pre-A financing round led by Zheshang Venture Capital. The funds will mainly be used for market expansion of the cable-structure flexible PV mounting system and R&D of next-generation products. The company’s cable-structure flexible PV mounting system integrates PV arrays into a large-span spatial structure, fully freeing up space underneath, thus truly enabling “PV + industrialization” models such as agrivoltaics, forest-PV complementarity, and aquavoltaics.

2.2 Tracking Mounting: Intelligent Tracking Enhances Comprehensive Agrivoltaic Returns

In 2022, the application of tracking mounting in agricultural scenarios was equally impressive. Antai New Energy supplied 175 MW of its Hunter series tracking mounting for Phase I of a 2 GW multi-energy complementary power generation project in Guangxi. The project adopts a “PV power generation + ecological agriculture” model, with PV tracking mounting installed above agricultural land to achieve “multiple uses of one land, agrivoltaic complementarity.” The mounting uses a 2P multi-pushrod drive design, with system natural frequency three times higher and wind resistance nearly twice that of conventional designs. When paired with large-format bifacial modules, it further improves power generation efficiency.

In July 2022, Trina Solar built the country’s first “spoil ground” smart tracking PV system + high-standard farmland construction composite utilization pilot project in Panzhihua. The project uses Trina’s Vanguard 1P tracking mounting, with each mounting accommodating up to 120 modules. The intelligent tracking system increases power generation yield by 10%-15%. The project transformed an abandoned spoil ground into a PV power station while simultaneously developing high-standard farmland, achieving dual benefits of land restoration and clean energy generation.

2.3 Fixed Mounting: The Steady Workhorse of Agricultural Canopy Systems

Amid technological iteration, fixed mounting still holds an important position in agricultural scenarios, but its design has been significantly optimized toward “agrivoltaic friendliness.” GR Energy’s GS agricultural canopy mounting uses an all-aluminum alloy structure, with a maximum design span of 6 meters to facilitate large agricultural machinery. Through careful calculation, it can flexibly accommodate module layouts for different crop light requirements, ensuring power generation without affecting crop yields.

Haitai New Energy also launched the HTFarmland series agricultural canopy mounting system, suitable for agrivoltaic and aquavoltaic solutions. It achieves PV power generation without interfering with agricultural operations, making it especially suitable for land-scarce regions. The Changjiang Institute of Survey, Planning, Design and Research also developed patented technologies such as the jack-type PV lifting mounting, achieving innovative breakthroughs for specific PV application scenarios.

III. Typical Agrivoltaic Project Mounting Practices in 2022

3.1 Yan’an, Shaanxi: Datang Huanglong Sancha 50 MW Agrivoltaic Project

On June 29, 2022, the Datang Huanglong Sancha agrivoltaic power generation project officially began mounting and module installation. The project has an installed capacity of 50 MW, planned land use of 1,650 mu (about 110 hectares), and a total investment of RMB 290 million. The project adopts a “PV + field crop planting” model. By raising the mounting columns, modules are kept 2.5 meters above ground; the column spacing is increased to at least 8 meters, leaving over 60% of the space between PV arrays available for planting neutral or shade-loving plants. The main crops are soybeans and maize intercropped, along with shade-tolerant Chinese medicinal herbs such as bupleurum, platycodon, and salvia. After completion, the project is expected to provide 85 million kWh of clean electricity annually, saving 26,000 tons of standard coal and reducing CO₂ emissions by 79,000 tons.

3.2 Jia County, Henan: 150 MW “Agri-Pastoral” Complementary Project

In November 2022, the 150 MW “agri-pastoral” complementary distributed PV power generation project in Tangjie Town, Jia County, Henan Province, entered the pile welding and foundation pouring stage. The project is located in a hilly area with poor soil unsuitable for traditional agriculture. The project team adapted to local conditions by using a flexible mounting PV solution, which is not constrained by terrain and can generate full capacity on hillsides. PV modules are installed on cattle sheds, generating electricity while providing thermal insulation and cooling for the red cattle breeding environment below, achieving both social and ecological benefits. After completion of Phase I, the project will provide housing for 3,000 red cattle, generate 27.5 million kWh of electricity annually, save 9,000 tons of standard coal, and reduce CO₂ emissions by 27,400 tons.

3.3 Huanggang, Hubei: Xishui Tuoluo 500 MW Agri-Aquavoltaic Project

In April 2022, the Xishui Tuoluo New Energy Phase I 500 MW agri-aquavoltaic PV power generation project entered piling operations. The project’s most notable feature is “two uses of one land”: during construction, high mounting keeps PV panels at least 2.5 meters above ground with a mounting spacing of over 7 meters. While generating electricity, the land under the high mounting is used for planting and aquaculture. The project is expected to generate over RMB 10 million in annual tax revenue and provide temporary employment for over 100 people. With a total investment of approximately RMB 2.7 billion, Phase I (300 MW) is planned to be grid-connected by the end of the year, with an estimated annual power generation of about 300 million kWh.