In 2023, as the global scale of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) projects continues to expand, a technology known as the "FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) solar walkway" has quietly emerged. It has become an important part of ensuring safety and improving maintenance efficiency for rooftop power stations.

The Pain Point: Overlooked Rooftop Safety and Maintenance Issues

Large-scale rooftop PV power plants, particularly on industrial and commercial factory roofs, typically require regular inspections and maintenance. However, without dedicated pathways, maintenance personnel walking directly on metal or waterproof membrane roofs face risks such as slipping, stepping through the roof causing leaks, and micro-cracking of PV panels. Traditional steel or aluminum alloy walkways solve some problems but are themselves heavy, prone to corrosion, complex to install, and may add extra load to the roof structure due to their weight.

The Breakthrough: Why FRP Material is the "Key Player"

The core advantages of FRP material precisely address the pain points of rooftop PV operation and maintenance. Its key characteristics include:

Lightweight and High Strength: FRP has a density only one-quarter that of steel, but its absolute strength is comparable to ordinary steel. It can reduce weight by 75%, greatly lowering the load on the roof structure and simplifying transport and installation.

Safe and Non-Conductive: FRP material itself is non-conductive and non-thermal-conductive and will not break down even under 10kV voltage, eliminating the risk of electric shock from accidental contact with electrical equipment.

Weather and Corrosion Resistant: FRP walkways have strong corrosion resistance and UV resistance, resisting chemical attack and color fading. The theoretical service life can exceed 20 years, significantly reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Anti-Slip and Durable: FRP gratings are molded with an anti-slip surface texture or grit, ensuring walking safety even in wet or oily conditions. At the same time, the grating structure drains and self-cleans, preventing water or dirt accumulation.

A New Trend: When the "Pathway" Itself Also "Generates Power"

An important innovation in 2023 upgraded the FRP walkway from a purely "protective path" to a "load-bearing power-generating surface." Companies introduced dual-purpose solar walkways that combine high-strength FRP with aluminum alloy, serving both as a sturdy maintenance path and as an integrated photovoltaic power-generating surface, with a load capacity of up to 500 kilograms per square meter. This design maximizes the use of valuable rooftop space and further increases the overall return on investment for PV projects.

Practical Application in China: Examples from 2023

In 2023, FRP solar walkways were implemented in specific projects in China. For example, in a rooftop PV project in Guangxi Province with a building area of approximately 2,658 square meters, the installer put in place a total capacity of 287 kW of PV equipment and also laid FRP molded grating walkways 50 cm wide specifically for maintenance access. Another new energy technology company demonstrated its unique "quick-bonding" innovative installation method at the end of 2023, using silicone adhesive to directly bond high-molecular composite PV modules. This method requires no screws or clamps and allows PV equipment to be installed on traditionally difficult surfaces such as waterproof membranes and glass roofs, further expanding the application scenarios for PV + FRP.

Global Perspective: Diverse Explorations of PV Walkways

The core concept of FRP solar walkways—providing safe, smart access for PV systems—was also reflected in other global PV infrastructure projects in 2023:

Photovoltaic Bike Path in Freiburg, Germany: A 300-meter pilot project where the PV canopy consists of 900 semi-transparent glass modules with a total installed capacity of 287 kW, expected to generate about 280 MWh per year. This demonstrates an innovative model of co-using transport and energy space.

Photovoltaic Bike Path Surface in the Netherlands: At the end of 2023, two provinces in the Netherlands commissioned two 1,000-square-meter PV bike paths, each paved with "Wattway" PV pavement that directly embeds solar cells into the road surface, offering new ideas for the application of FRP materials in the PV walkway field.