Introduction: From Supporting Role to Leading Role – The Technological Leap of Aluminum Alloy Mounts

In 2024, the aluminum alloy solar mounting industry experienced a double variation of technological innovation and market dynamics. On the materials front, Chinese companies took the lead, raising the tensile strength of aluminum alloy mounts to new heights through microalloying technology. Antai New Energy became the first PV mounting manufacturer in the industry to own its proprietary aluminum alloy grade (6A22). On the trade front, the U.S. Department of Commerce‘s anti‑dumping investigation into aluminum extrusions from 14 countries drew industry attention, but the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ultimately rejected the tariff proposal by a rare three‑to‑one vote, bringing a turning point for the global PV supply chain.

From material performance breakthroughs to international trade dynamics, the 2024 aluminum alloy solar mounting industry is undergoing a profound transformation.

Part One: Material Innovation – Chinese Companies‘ Technological Breakthroughs

1.1 Antai New Energy: Industry’s First Proprietary Aluminum Alloy Grade Approved

In May 2024, Antai New Energy‘s case study on “High‑performance Aluminum Alloy 6A22 Recognized by National Quality Standards” was selected for the “Top 30 Youth Energy Entrepreneurs Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cases.” The approval of the 6A22 grade marks Antai New Energy as the first PV mounting manufacturer in the industry to own its proprietary aluminum alloy grade.

Technical Background:

Since 2018, Antai New Energy has established an academician expert workstation focusing on the R&D of aluminum alloy materials for solar PV mounts and the improvement of aluminum extrusion processes. To date, it has launched 12 key projects, including “R&D and Industrialization of New Aluminum Alloy Materials” and “Research and Industrialization of Co‑manufacturing Technology for High‑strength Corrosion‑resistant Aluminum Alloy Load‑bearing Components for Solar PV Power Generation Systems.”

Antai New Energy stated: “The development of the 6A22 new aluminum alloy material benefits from our continuous and increasing investment in R&D.” As an expert in digitalized PV mounts and system solutions, Antai New Energy will continue to lead industrial innovation with technological innovation and actively cultivate new productive forces.

1.2 Jinfei New Materials: Strontium and Manganese Addition Improves Tensile Strength

In October 2024, Zhejiang Jinfei New Materials Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang Jinfei Kaida Wheel Co., Ltd. filed a patent for “Aluminum Alloy Profile and Its Preparation Method, PV Frame Mount, and PV Module” (Publication No. CN 118756007 A).

Technical Breakthrough:

The patent solves the problem of low tensile strength in existing PV frame mounts by adding strontium and manganese elements to the raw materials. Key technical points are as follows:

The patent abstract notes: “Strontium accelerates the refinement of aluminum alloy grains; aluminum alloys with fine grains have higher plasticity and toughness. The addition of manganese results in fine, dispersed strengthening phases, leading to better performance.”

1.3 Xinbo Aluminum: High‑Strength Aluminum Alloy Achieves Lightweight Cost Reduction

In July 2024, Anhui Xinbo Aluminum Co., Ltd. received an invention patent certificate from the China National Intellectual Property Administration for “A High‑strength Aluminum Alloy Profile for Solar PV Frames and Its Preparation Method” (Patent No. 7196563).

Technical Value:

Based on a material microstructure design approach that balances multiple performance characteristics, this technology has developed a new generation of lightweight aluminum alloy frames. While improving performance, it achieves cost reduction and efficiency gains by reducing the amount of aluminum frame material used per unit area of the module.

Xinbo Aluminum stated: “The acquisition of the above patent will positively impact the company’s consolidation of its advantages in raw materials and production processes for aluminum frames, while also improving the company’s intellectual property protection system and further leveraging its technical advantages in the PV frame industry.”

Part Two: International Trade Shift – The “One‑Day” US Aluminum Tariff Saga

2.1 Commerce Department Preliminary Ruling: Up to 377% Tariffs on Aluminum Extrusions from 14 Countries

In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued final rulings determining that aluminum extrusion producers from 14 countries had violated international trade rules by selling below fair market prices and receiving unfair subsidies.

Affected Countries:
China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam

Duty Rates:

Anti‑dumping duties: 2.02% to 376.85%

Countervailing duties: 1.44% to 168.81% (only China, Indonesia, Mexico, UAE)

The rulings brought aluminum extrusion products such as solar mounting rails and solar tracker components within the scope of the duties.

Robert DeFrancesco, legal counsel for the U.S. Aluminum Extruders Coalition, said: “These final rulings are a critical step in remediating the illegal dumping of foreign aluminum extrusion producers, many of which also benefit from unfair subsidies.”

2.2 ITC Reversal: Tariff Proposal Rejected in Rare Vote

However, on October 30, 2024, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) overturned the Commerce Department‘s determination by a three‑to‑one vote, finding that aluminum extrusions imported from these 14 countries had not caused material injury or threat to the U.S. industry.

The ITC’s negative determination means the anti‑dumping and countervailing duty cases will be terminated, and any deposits collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be refunded to importers.

Industry Reaction:

The U.S. Aluminum Extruders Coalition and the United Steelworkers union expressed “surprise and disappointment” at the ITC‘s decision. They stated that the domestic aluminum industry is suffering injury from unfair trade imports and will “explore all available options” to address the issue.

2.3 Impact Analysis for the PV Industry

This dramatic policy reversal is significant for the PV industry. Aluminum extrusions are a key material for PV trackers, mounts, and mounting structures.

A notable feature of this case is that it targeted the “aluminum extrusion” manufacturing process rather than specific products, giving it an extremely broad scope – from door frames to solar mounts.

Greg Husisian, partner in the International Trade practice at Foley & Lardner LLP, noted: “This is a very unusual order. The scope is very complex because it is based on how the product is made rather than the physical product itself. That is why it covers so many different products.”

Part Three: Product Innovation – Adjustability as a Key Differentiator

3.1 Jiangsu Nabei Aluminum: Gear Linkage Enables Rapid Angle Adjustment

In December 2024, Jiangsu Nabei Aluminum Co., Ltd. obtained a patent for a “Solar Aluminum Alloy Mount” (Authorization Announcement No. CN 222086315 U).

Technical Solution:

The mount uses a gear linkage mechanism to achieve convenient angle adjustment of the support rod: the first driven gear drives the right‑side first driven gear through the second driven gear, which then rotates the elliptical plate; the elliptical plate rotates the circular plate inside a semi‑circular hole; the vertical rod pulls the movable plate forward through a limit hole; the movable plate pushes the support rod to slide forward inside a rectangular groove via a fixing post.

This design enables convenient, fast angle adjustment of the support rod, adapting to changing sunlight conditions across different seasons and times of day.

3.2 Xinwei Aluminum: Track Design Enables Dual Adjustment of Height and Angle

In December 2024, Xinwei Aluminum (Zhangzhou) Co., Ltd. obtained a patent for a “Track‑Type Solar Alloy Mount” (Authorization Announcement No. CN 222127989 U).

Technical Solution:

Through the coordinated arrangement of a moving track, slide groove, first fixing bolt, first hinge base, solar alloy mount, lifting main rod, second fixing bolt, lifting auxiliary rod, second hinge base, and third fixing bolt, the mount enables on‑demand adjustment of the solar support angle or support height.

The track design gives the mount greater flexibility during installation and use, adapting to different roof structures and terrain conditions.

Part Four: 2024 Industry Trend Summary

Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the aluminum alloy solar mounting industry will present the following trends:

Continued material performance breakthroughs: Microalloying technology will be further optimized, driving aluminum alloy mounts toward higher strength and lighter weight

Supply chain diversification: Despite the ITC‘s rejection of tariffs, global PV mounting companies will continue to accelerate regional supply chain layouts

Product intelligence: Electric adjustment and intelligent control functions will gradually be integrated into aluminum alloy mount products

Accelerated standardization: As more companies obtain proprietary grades and patents, the industry standard system will become increasingly refined

In a Nutshell

In 2024, the aluminum alloy solar mounting industry achieved a leap from “following” to “leading” on the material innovation front – Antai New Energy‘s proprietary 6A22 grade, Jinfei’s strontium‑manganese microalloying, and Xinbo‘s lightweight frames mark that Chinese companies’ technical strength in aluminum alloy PV materials is moving from “manufacturing” toward “creation.”