In 2023, as global PV installed capacity continued to rise, the industry witnessed a wave of innovation focused on mounting grounding technology. From multiple patents released by US metal roof PV accessory giant S-5! to the launch of SnapNrack’s disruptive TopSpeed mounting system, and a series of grounding-related patents granted to domestic Chinese companies, the humble Earth Clip – a seemingly small accessory – has become a focal point of industry attention.

A safety audit report released by the Clean Energy Associates (CEA) in 2023 served as a wake-up call for the entire industry. The organization conducted safety audits on more than 600 rooftop PV systems and found that a staggering 97% of the installations had significant safety issues. Among these, 49% had grounding problems, 47% had module damage, and 41% had mis-matched connectors. These alarming figures brought PV system grounding safety from behind the scenes to the forefront, becoming a major driver of mounting technology innovation in 2023.

International Developments: Industry Leaders Spearhead Accelerated Patent Portfolios

In 2023, leading global PV mounting companies made significant moves in grounding technology, with multiple patents and new solutions coming to market.

S-5!: 21 New Patents, Launch of New Bonding Clip

As a global leader in metal roof PV attachments, S-5! experienced explosive growth in its patent portfolio in 2023. In December 2023, the company announced that it had been granted 21 new patents during the year, bringing its total number of patents to 133 since its first product patent in 1991. Among these, US Patent No. 11,808,043 from the USPTO is particularly noteworthy – it covers S-5!’s new Bonding Clip, used to achieve electrical connection and grounding between standing seam metal roof panels, ensuring safety in case of live roofs.

Rob Haddock, founder and CEO of S-5!, stated, “As global clean energy initiatives drive the worldwide expansion of the solar industry, S-5! remains at the forefront of innovation, providing our channel partners with proven and engineered metal roof attachment solutions. Our R&D team relentlessly pursues a cycle of ‘innovate, improve, and innovate again.’”

Beyond the US market, S-5! also received patents in multiple regions around the world, including the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) for its PVKIT® 2.0 solar solution, Australia for its PVKIT® solar solution and various mounting accessories, Brazil for its GripperFix® utility-scale mounting solution, Canada for its PVKIT® 2.0 solution, and Colombia for its GripperFix® and PVKIT® 2.0 solutions. To date, S-5! solutions have been installed on over 2.5 million metal roofs, covering more than 6 GW of PV projects in over 70 countries.

SnapNrack: TopSpeed System Ushers in a New Installation Paradigm

Also in early 2023, solar mounting supplier SnapNrack launched an innovative rooftop mounting system called TopSpeed. Unlike conventional approaches, TopSpeed is designed to pre‑assemble mounts to solar modules on the ground before lifting the entire assembly onto the roof, aiming to reduce rooftop work time by more than 50% and greatly improve installer safety.

Notably, the TopSpeed system integrates Smart Clips and an MLPE frame kit, with optimized grounding cable management. The system is made of alloy aluminum and 300 series stainless steel, featuring black oxide bolts, bonding clips, and black anodized clamps. It is UL‑certified and can withstand extreme wind loads from 90 mph to 180 mph and snow loads up to 90 psf. The system made its debut at Intersolar North America held in Long Beach, California, from February 14–16, 2023.

Domestic Progress: Accelerated Independent Innovation, Abundant Patent Achievements

In 2023, Chinese PV companies also made notable progress in mounting grounding technology, receiving multiple utility model patents.

Guoneng: Breakthrough in Maintenance‑Free Grounding Grid Technology

In August 2023, Guoneng was granted a utility model patent titled “A Maintenance‑Free Grounding Grid for Rapid PV Grounding” (Publication No. CN219458047U). This technology uses non‑metallic clamps for simple operation without electricity, reducing the harm of welding fumes to human health and pollution to the atmosphere, while also lowering the risk of grounding conductor corrosion. In October of the same year, Guoneng received another patent for a “Quick‑Install Grounding Down Conductor for PV Grounding” (Publication No. CN219843153U), further enriching its rapid grounding product line.

Ganeng: Aesthetic and Practical Grounding Design

Jiangxi Ganeng Co., Ltd. obtained a patent in December 2023 titled “A New Type of Photovoltaic Device Structure” (Authorization Announcement No. CN220156486U). This technology conceals the grounding device inside the vertical post, achieving grounding effectiveness while offering an aesthetic appearance and ease of installation. This design concept, combining functionality with aesthetics, represents a trend toward refined development in PV mounting grounding technology.

Suzhou Juzhiyi: Self‑Grounding Function Improves Installation Efficiency

The patent for “A PV Mounting with Self‑Grounding Function and PV Power Generation System” filed by Suzhou Juzhiyi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. in December 2023 (Authorization Announcement No. CN222262666U) places the grounding terminal on a metal clip that achieves electrical continuity with the metal frame. The grounding terminal is located on the side of the metal clip, making it easy to identify and install, thereby effectively improving grounding installation efficiency.

Market Insights: Small Clip Moves a Large Market

From industry dynamics in 2023, it is evident that Earth Clip solar mounting grounding solutions are undergoing a profound transformation from “passive compliance” to “active innovation.”

At the product level, grounding clips made of stainless steel 304 have become the mainstream choice due to their corrosion resistance and service life of over 20 years. These grounding clips use sharp teeth to penetrate the anodized oxide film on the surface of aluminum profiles, establishing a reliable electrical path to ensure effective grounding between PV modules and the mounting system.

At the system level, more and more mounting companies are integrating grounding functions into their product designs. For example, mid‑clamps with integrated grounding functionality, using unique pin designs on contact surfaces, replace traditional grounding clips to achieve direct grounding connection between modules and rails. This integrated design philosophy not only simplifies installation but also reduces safety risks caused by missing accessories or improper installation.

At the application level, the use of grounding clips is expanding from traditional rooftop mounting systems to diverse scenarios such as ground‑mount power plants, agrivoltaics, and floating PV. Different companies have introduced differentiated grounding solutions tailored to various application scenarios to meet increasingly diverse market demands.