I. Market Size and Overall Trends

According to a report released by Global Market Insights, the global fixed-tilt solar racking system market reached US$16 billion in 2023. The report forecasts that between 2024 and 2032, this market will maintain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 2.5%, and by 2032, the market size for ground-mounted racking systems alone is expected to exceed US$22.5 billion. This growth is primarily driven by declining solar panel costs, supportive government policies, and economies of scale in large-scale utility projects.

In terms of market landscape, leading global racking manufacturers include Nextracker, Arctech, Array Technologies, and Jiangsu Guoqiang. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region, especially China, played an increasingly significant role in the global ground-mounted solar racking market.

II. Technological Innovation and Product Launches

In 2023, several racking companies introduced innovative products tailored to different application scenarios, aiming to improve installation efficiency, adapt to complex terrain, and reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).

1. Antai Energy: Launch of “SnapFit” C&I Flash Installation System
At the All-Energy Australia exhibition held in Melbourne in October 2023, Antai Energy unveiled its new commercial & industrial (C&I) product, the “SnapFit” flash installation system. With its innovative elastic drive structure and advanced engineering design, the system can increase installation efficiency by up to 50%, effectively saving installation time and labor costs. Antai Energy also showcased its “Yuguang-Simple” 1P single-axis tracker suitable for large-scale ground-mounted power plants. This product has passed rigorous tests in top-tier wind tunnel laboratories, ensuring stable operation under extreme high wind and heavy snow conditions, and is compatible with large-format bifacial modules to enhance power generation efficiency.

2. PV Star: Launch of “Zhutingting” Truss Solution
Aiming to address the characteristics of large yards and diverse roof structures in rural Northeast China, PV Star introduced a new “Zhutingting” truss solution in 2023. This solution places the racking system on the ground, with PV panels mounted above the roof, forming a protective structure that “does not press on or burden the house.” User cases show that this approach makes better use of yard space and allows more PV panels to be installed, thereby generating higher returns. For example, a household in Tieling, Liaoning Province, installed 126 PV panels and is expected to earn approximately RMB 260,000 over 25 years.

3. Antaike: All-Terrain Fixed Racking and “Agrivoltaic Grazing” Model
Shenzhen Antaike provided all-terrain ground fixed racking technology for the 100MW photovoltaic power generation project in Qiaojia County, Yunnan Province. The project site sits at altitudes ranging from 2,600 to 3,300 meters, with complex terrain. Antaike’s racking solution overcame challenges associated with high altitude and low temperatures. Additionally, by setting the minimum height of the racking system to allow adult passage, the project successfully implemented an “agrivoltaic grazing” model—generating power above while enabling grazing below—achieving integrated land use and maximizing ecological benefits.

III. Representative Project Applications

In 2023, ground-mounted racking was deployed in several innovative and challenging projects, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse scenarios.

1. New York, USA: Landfill Solar Project
In July 2023, SolarBank signed a contract with Polar Racking to develop two closed landfill sites in New York State into solar projects with a total capacity of 10MW. Polar Racking will supply its CORE fixed-tilt ground racking system and ballasted foundations for these projects. This solution is specifically designed for sites such as landfills where deep excavation is not feasible. By anchoring the racking system to ballasted foundations, it enables the repurposing of contaminated land into valuable clean energy assets.

2. Caribbean Region: Community Solar Gardens in Barbados
In November 2023, Jurchen Technology signed an agreement with Barbados-based renewable energy developer Blue Circle Energy to supply PEG EW ground racking systems for 50 community solar garden projects across the country, with a total capacity of 60MW. These projects are distributed across 11 parishes in Barbados and are planned to be constructed in phases from 2024 to 2026. A key highlight is the hurricane-resistant design of the racking system; its aerodynamic structure can withstand the extreme hurricanes frequently encountered in the Caribbean region, enhancing the resilience of the energy system.

3. Yunnan, China: High-Altitude “Agrivoltaic Grazing” Project
As noted earlier, the 100MW photovoltaic power generation project in Qiaojia County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, which involved Shenzhen Antaike, was connected to the grid in November 2023. As a major provincial project in Yunnan for 2023, it not only overcame the construction difficulties of high altitude and low temperatures but also successfully implemented the “agrivoltaic grazing” model through innovative racking design, delivering both economic and ecological benefits to the local area.

IV. Reliability Validation in Extreme Environments

In 2023, the reliability of ground-mounted racking was put to a real-world test during extreme weather events.

In April 2023, Category 5 tropical cyclone Ilsa struck the Kimberley coast of Western Australia with wind gusts reaching up to 274 km/h. Amid the devastating cyclone, a PV-ezRack SolarTerrace III-A ground racking system supplied by Clenergy at the Pardoo Roadhouse remained completely intact, while surrounding buildings and facilities suffered severe damage (estimated losses of US$4 million). Manufactured from high-quality structural grade anodized 6005-T5 aluminum alloy and 304 stainless steel fasteners, the system’s superior durability and wind resistance were proven in this “ultimate test,” reaffirming the reliability of high-quality racking systems under extreme climatic conditions.

V. Summary and Outlook

Looking back at 2023, the development of the ground-mounted solar racking industry exhibited several key characteristics:

Scenario Specialization: From residential yards to landfills, and from high-altitude pastures to hurricane-prone islands, racking solutions are increasingly customized and scenario-specific.

Efficiency Priority: Innovations like “flash installation” focus on simplifying installation processes and shortening construction timelines, thereby effectively reducing overall project costs.

Reliability is Paramount: Faced with extreme weather events driven by global climate change, the structural strength and resistance to wind, snow, and corrosion have become critical success factors. The Australian cyclone case provided strong empirical evidence.

Integration and Innovation: Models such as “agrivoltaic grazing” and “PV on landfills” demonstrate that solar racking is not only a support structure for power generation equipment but also an important vehicle for integrated land use and ecological restoration.