1. A Floating Combined Photovoltaic Support (Patent Announcement)

In 2022, a utility model patent titled “A Floating Combined Photovoltaic Support” was granted. The patent combines PHC pipe piles with photovoltaic FRP components, utilizing FRP’s high strength, light weight, and strong corrosion resistance directly in underwater support structures. When underwater soil conditions are poor or water depth is significant, FRP components can replace traditional steel components, ensuring corrosion resistance and load capacity while effectively reducing pile length, lowering construction difficulty, and cutting project costs.

2. Solar Photovoltaic System with Wastewater Tank Sealing Function (Patent Application)

On April 29, 2022, Jiangsu Kewei Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. filed a patent application titled “Solar Photovoltaic System with Wastewater Tank Sealing Function” (CN114421859A). The system builds a continuous sealed roof above a wastewater tank using multiple solar panels spliced together via FRP profiles. It generates solar power while sealing the wastewater tank, with low construction cost and good corrosion resistance.

3. Floating Water Surface Composite Photovoltaic Support System (University Research Project)

Researchers at Nanjing Tech University developed a “floating water surface composite photovoltaic support system” made primarily of lightweight, high-strength, corrosion-resistant fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP). The system uses industrially formed floaters, beams, columns, and other components assembled on site into a floating support structure. It features high load capacity, strong weather resistance, good wave resistance, long service life, and easy assembly. A 20 kW floating solar system has been built on the Jiangpu campus of Nanjing Tech University and is already connected to the grid.

II. Project Procurement and Engineering Applications

1. Zhaoqing Hangkai New Energy 114.38 MW Rooftop Distributed PV Project

In October 2022, Sichuan Electric Power Company of SEPCO (PowerChina) issued a procurement invitation for FRP grating used in the Zhaoqing Hangkai New Energy 114.38 MW rooftop distributed PV project. The procurement covered FRP grating for operation and maintenance walkways on corrugated steel roofs. This procurement signaled continued industry recognition of FRP grating for O&M walkways in large distributed PV projects.

2. Fishery-Solar Complementary and Industrial Rooftop PV Cases

Fishery-solar complementary project: In a project in Jiangsu Province, FRP grating was successfully used in an alkaline water environment. With pH 8.5, average humidity over 85%, and UV radiation 1.5 times that of land, the FRP grating withstood the harsh outdoor conditions.

Industrial rooftop PV plant: An industrial rooftop plant using FRP grating walkways saw annual maintenance costs drop by 42%. The grating’s light‑transmitting property also improved lighting in the space below, achieving building‑integrated photovoltaic benefits.

3. Market Promotion of FRP Photovoltaic Grating Products

In April 2022, Hebei Wanqing Environmental Protection Equipment Co., Ltd. released product information for FRP photovoltaic gratings, targeting industries such as petroleum, chemicals, power, marine exploration, and wastewater treatment, as well as civil construction. The products are available in three mesh sizes (25, 38, 50 mm) with load capacities ranging from 1 to 5–6 tons, and detailed installation guides were published.

III. Product and Solution Launches

1. FRP Solar Walkway Product Launch (UISOLAR)

In May 2022, UISOLAR officially launched an FRP solar walkway product designed for safe access on solar rooftop walkways. The product uses FRP grating and connection accessories, offering acid/alkali corrosion resistance, good electrical insulation, and easy installation. It effectively extends the service life of industrial/commercial roofs and is suitable for corrosive environments such as power plants, chemical plants, water treatment facilities, and offshore platforms.

2. AMROCK FRP Rooftop Walkway System (DirectIndustry)

In early 2022, AMROCK released an FRP rooftop walkway system on the DirectIndustry platform, designed for maintenance access on solar panel roofs. The system provides a non‑slip, safe, all‑weather passage for routine inspection and maintenance of solar panels. Made of fiberglass and isophthalic polyester resin, it is lightweight, UV‑stable, corrosion‑resistant, flame‑retardant, and maintenance‑free. It can be quickly installed on roof surfaces using SS304/SS316 clamp systems.

IV. Industry Standards and Academic Research

1. Technical Standard for Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite Frames for Crystalline Silicon PV Modules

On August 23‑24, 2022, the CSTM/FC03/TC22 annual meeting was held in Wuxi. At the meeting, the technical standard “Glass fiber reinforced composite frames for crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules” was formally initiated, with participating companies including JinkoSolar, Zhejiang JinkoSolar, Zhejiang Deyilong Technology, Covestro (Shanghai) Investment, and others. The composite frame has a flexural strength exceeding 1000 MPa, far higher than aluminum’s 300 MPa, and its carbon emissions are only one‑tenth those of aluminum frames, aligning with carbon peaking and neutrality goals. According to IEC61215:2021 tests, modules with composite frames passed enhanced load tests with no abnormal appearance and power degradation meeting standard requirements.

2. Thermomechanical and Mechanical Performance of GFRP Sandwich Structures Integrated with Amorphous Silicon PV Cells

On June 15, 2022, a research paper by Yiqing Dai, Yu Bai, and colleagues from Monash University was published. The study bonded amorphous silicon PV cells onto GFRP sandwich structures to produce specimens, then tested their thermomechanical and mechanical performance under natural outdoor sunlight, exploring the thermomechanical response mechanisms of integrated GFRP‑PV structures.

3. Glass Fiber Reinforcement of Flexible Lightweight PV Modules

In May 2022, Jonathan Govaerts and colleagues published research on the development and testing of lightweight PV modules based on glass fiber reinforcement. In August 2022, PV Europe reported on the use of flexible lightweight PV modules at the Wallenhorst Sports and Health Park in Germany, achieving self‑consumption of solar energy. The modules used glass fiber and ETFE plastic to encapsulate silicon solar cells, weighing only one‑third of glass modules.

4. Bio‑Based Composite PV Panels at the French National Institute of Solar Energy (INES)

In June 2022, researchers at INES developed bio‑based composite PV panels. The front sheet uses glass fiber‑filled polymer for transparency, and the back sheet uses a thermoplastic composite of flax and basalt fibers for mechanical strength and moisture resistance. The modules weigh less than 5 kg/m², and their carbon footprint is reduced by 75 g CO₂/W compared to reference modules of the same power.