Introduction: C‑Channel – The “Backbone” of Ground PV Mounts

In large‑scale ground PV power plants, C‑channel steel – with its rational cross‑section, high load‑bearing capacity, convenient processing, and controllable cost – has become the core profile for mounting systems. From beams and rafters to columns and diagonal braces, C‑channel forms the “skeleton” of the PV array, and its performance directly affects the safe and stable operation of the power plant for 25 years or more.

In 2024, the C‑channel ground mount field saw multiple technological breakthroughs: from the reinforcement design of high‑strength steel components to the large‑scale application of zinc‑aluminium‑magnesium coated materials; from the implementation of anti‑loosening washer patents to the review of the industry standard “Photovoltaic Mounting Steel Sections”. These innovations have collectively improved the load‑bearing capacity, weather resistance, and installation efficiency of C‑channel mounts from the three dimensions of materials, structure, and standards.

Part One: Material Innovation – Zn‑Al‑Mg Coating Becomes the New Favourite, High‑Strength Steel Component Reinforcement

1.1 U‑Good New Energy: Zn‑Al‑Mg Coated C‑Channel Mounts, Self‑Healing Corrosion Resistance >35 Years

In November 2024, Xiamen U‑Good New Energy Co., Ltd. launched a C‑channel PV mounting solution, whose core highlight is the use of high‑quality zinc‑aluminium‑magnesium (Zn‑Al‑Mg) coated steel.

Material characteristics:

Self‑healing ability: after minor damage, the coating quickly restores the surface protection layer, preventing further corrosion spread

Excellent corrosion resistance: effectively resists salt spray, humidity and other harsh environments

High strength and stiffness: maintains outstanding deformation resistance and damage resistance under extreme weather such as typhoons and heavy snow

Service life: can exceed 35 years

U‑Good‘s self‑developed convenient clamp block design is also noteworthy: the upper and lower wings of the rail do not require flange holes, avoiding the reduction of the purlin’s bending resistance after loading. The clamp block is placed vertically into the purlin, rotated 90 degrees to complete installation, and used together with mid and side clamps – it is not affected by module width and significantly reduces on‑site construction time.

1.2 Tianjin Green Energy Photoelectric: C‑Channel Reinforcement Mechanism Improves Deformation Resistance

In October 2024, Tianjin Green Energy Photoelectric Technology Co., Ltd. obtained a patent for a “High‑strength steel component for PV mounts” (Authorization No. CN 221858864 U).

Technical solution: A base plate is placed centered on the inner web of the C‑channel component, and together with inclined connecting plates, insert plates, vertical struts, connecting posts and rib plates, a reinforcement mechanism is formed, creating a “spinal skeleton”‑type strengthening structure.

Technical value: Under the condition of not excessively increasing the weight of the C‑channel component, effective reinforcement is achieved, improving the stability and deformation resistance of the C‑channel component when used as a PV mount support structure, ensuring that the C‑channel component can still provide safe support for the PV mount when subjected to external forces.

Part Two: Structural Optimization – Anti‑Loosening Design, Combined Columns, and Lightweight Connections

2.1 Arctech: Anti‑Rotation Washer Prevents C‑Channel Purlin Rotation

In June 2024, leading PV mount manufacturer Arctech (688408) obtained a utility model patent for a “Purlin structure and PV mount”.

Technical solution: The purlin body has a C‑shaped cross‑section, with an anti‑rotation washer installed inside. At least one end of a connector passes through the purlin body and the anti‑rotation washer and abuts against the anti‑rotation washer.

Technical value: The anti‑rotation washer limits the end of the connector, ensuring that the purlin body and the main beam do not rotate relative to each other, effectively solving the problem of bolt loosening under dynamic loads such as wind‑induced vibration. Since the beginning of the year, Arctech has been granted 45 new patents, a year‑on‑year increase of 9.76%. In 2023, its R&D investment was RMB 170 million, a year‑on‑year increase of 33.67%.

2.2 Jialida Energy‑saving: V‑Shaped Force Plate Combined C‑Channel Column

In November 2024, Shenzhen Jialida Energy‑saving Technology Co., Ltd. obtained a patent for a “Support column for PV mount” (Authorization No. CN 222029856 U).

Technical solution: In the openings of two symmetrically arranged C‑channels, V‑shaped force plates are respectively fixed, and the two force plates are fitted together. The tops of the two C‑channels are respectively fixed with vertical plates.

Technical value: The combined installation of the support column is more efficient and precise, and the strength of the support column is indirectly enhanced.

2.3 Oupin Metal: PV Fixing Structure Patent

In October 2024, Suzhou Oupin Metal Technology Co., Ltd. officially obtained a utility model patent certificate for a “PV fixing structure on a metal PV mount” (Patent No. ZL 2024 2 2959057.6).

Technical direction: This patent focuses on structural optimization of key connection and fixing positions in PV power plant mounting systems, aiming to improve the installation convenience of PV modules, the overall structural stability, and the adaptability to complex terrain and climatic conditions.

Part Three: Industry Standard – YB/T “Photovoltaic Mounting Steel Sections” Standard Reviewed

From 25 to 26 November 2024, the 2024 annual meeting of the Steel Section Sub‑committee of the National Steel Standardization Technical Committee and the review and discussion meeting for YB/T “Photovoltaic Mounting Steel Sections” and five other standards were successfully held in Tianjin.

Background of standard formulation: Against the background of the “dual‑carbon” goals, various national departments have introduced supportive policies for the PV industry, promoting the optimisation and adjustment of industrial and energy structures. The goal is to achieve a total installed capacity of wind and solar power of at least 1,200 GW by 2030.

Scope of the standard: Photovoltaic mounting steel sections are used to support PV modules and are important components of PV power plants. The steel parts of the mounts mainly include beams, rafters, diagonal braces, columns, tension rods and other components, with sections as the main material, including C‑channel, angle steel, H‑beam, etc.

Main content of the standard: Specifies the structural types and parameters, chemical composition, mechanical properties, process properties, and anti‑corrosion properties of photovoltaic mounting steel sections, especially the requirements for materials and anti‑corrosion performance under different service environments.

Significance of the standard: The formulation of this standard regulates product quality, improves product performance, meets the diversified needs of the market, and promotes collaboration and technological progress along the entire PV mount upstream and downstream supply chain.

Part Four: Capacity Expansion – Inner Mongolia Energy Group 100,000 Tonnes/Year Production Line Commissioned

On 5 February 2024, the first fully automatic PV mount production line of Inner Mongolia Energy Group was officially put into operation. It was constructed by Power Construction Group‘s No.3 Electric Power Construction Company.

Project overview:

Located in the Metal Structure Industrial Park of Inner Mongolia No.3 Electric Power Construction Company in Baotou City

Static investment: RMB 16 million, covering an area of 10,000 m²

4 fully automatic PV mount production lines, 9 intelligent CNC accessory production lines

Design capacity: 100,000 tonnes/year, output value: RMB 600 million

Technical capability: The production line can professionally produce various specifications of C/U‑channel, special‑shaped steel, angle steel, galvanized C‑channel steel structural purlins, etc., meeting the C/U‑channel mounts and various connection components required for 3.5 GW of PV power plant installations.

Construction speed: From equipment arrival to smooth commissioning took only 12 days; production efficiency after commissioning is 45 m/min (i.e. 10,800 tonnes/month), achieving full capacity immediately after commissioning.

Part Five: Engineering Application – C‑Channel Mounts in Large Projects

China Coal Yangjian Coal Industry 19.5 MW Distributed PV Project

In November 2024, China Coal Xi‘an Design Engineering Co., Ltd. conducted an open tender for ground fixed mounts for the Yangjian Coal Industry 19.5 MW distributed PV project.

C‑Channel procurement specifications:

The project is located in Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province, using building roofs and open spaces within the plant area to construct distributed PV. C‑channel, used as key load‑bearing components such as rafters and beams, demonstrates its core application value in ground‑mount power plants.

Part Six: 2024 C‑Channel Ground Mount Technology Trend Summary

Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, C‑channel ground mounts will continue to deepen development in the following directions:

Continuous material upgrading: High‑performance anti‑corrosion materials such as Zn‑Al‑Mg coating will be used more widely, pushing mount service life towards 35‑40 years

Structural lightweighting: The proportion of high‑strength steel (e.g. Q355B) will increase, reducing material usage while maintaining load‑bearing capacity

Standardisation progress: The publication and implementation of industry standards such as YB/T “Photovoltaic Mounting Steel Sections” will regulate product quality and raise industry thresholds

Intelligent manufacturing: Fully automatic C‑channel production lines will become more widespread, improving production efficiency and product consistency

Connection technology innovation: Innovative connection components such as convenient clamp blocks and anti‑loosening washers will greatly improve installation efficiency

In a Nutshell

In 2024, C‑channel ground mounts – from U‑Good‘s Zn‑Al‑Mg coated material to Tianjin Green Energy’s reinforcement structure, from Arctech‘s anti‑rotation washer to the steel section standard review – have advanced on three fronts: materials, structure, and standards, building a solid “backbone” for the long‑term safe and stable operation of ground PV power plants.