1. Technological Breakthroughs: Continuous Performance Improvements

Corrosion Resistance Upgrades

In 2024, the application of zinc‑aluminum‑magnesium (Zn‑Al‑Mg) coatings in ground screws expanded further. This material features self‑healing properties at cut edges and offers 5‑10 times greater corrosion resistance than traditional hot‑dip galvanizing, extending service life to over 35 years in C5 corrosive environments such as coastal and high‑humidity areas. Some products passed 3,000‑hour salt spray tests, meeting long‑term operational requirements for power plants in high‑salinity regions.

Double‑Helix Design Adoption

Double‑helix ground screws became the mainstream choice for complex geological conditions in 2024. The double‑helix structure enhances pullout and compressive capacity, making them suitable for various soil types including soft soil, clay, and sandy soil. For rocky geology, some products expanded the application range of ground screws by combining pre‑drilling with screw pile installation.

Adjustable Flange Technology Matured

Adjustable flange designs solved the problem of pile top elevation errors. After installation, fine height adjustment of ±50 mm can be achieved through adjustment nuts, ensuring the levelness of the mounting system and reducing dependence on site grading.

2. Product Innovations: Customised Solutions for Diverse Scenarios

Tracker‑Specific Ground Screws

In 2024, ground screw products specifically designed for single‑axis tracking systems emerged. These piles feature specialized connection structures at the top that directly interface with tracker torque tubes, simplifying installation while maintaining load capacity, achieving 50% steel savings and 70% depth reduction.

Lightweight Ground Screws

For residential and small commercial projects, lightweight ground screws (diameter 48‑76 mm) enabled single‑person installation using handheld equipment, with each pile taking 2‑3 minutes. These products can be equipped with adjustable flanges and are suitable for small‑scale scenarios such as courtyards and agrivoltaics, and are removable and reusable.

3. Application Practices: Large‑Scale Project Validation

Desert Region Applications

In a PV project in the Kubuqi Desert, Inner Mongolia, ground screw foundations replaced traditional concrete solutions, avoiding large‑scale excavation that would have damaged the fragile ecosystem. The piles were hot‑dip galvanized, and their durability in sandy, windy conditions was validated.

Agrivoltaics Projects

In an agrivoltaics project in Shouguang, Shandong, double‑helix ground screws with a length of 2.5 m and a helix diameter of 250 mm were used, maintaining load capacity while minimizing disturbance to the topsoil layer, creating favorable conditions for agricultural cultivation beneath the panels. During construction, no concrete mixing was required, eliminating the long‑term risk of chemical contamination of the soil.

Mountain Solar

In a mountain solar project in Yunnan, ground screws were used to adapt to undulating terrain. ±15° terrain compensation was achieved through pile top height adjustment, reducing site grading requirements and preserving the original terrain and vegetation.

4. Market Developments

Capacity Expansion

In 2024, several domestic ground screw manufacturers completed production line upgrades. A company in Inner Mongolia commissioned a fully automatic PV mount and foundation production line with a design capacity of 100,000 tonnes/year, sufficient to meet the foundation needs of 3.5 GW of PV power plants. From equipment arrival to commissioning took only 12 days.

Standardisation Progress

Progress was made in PV foundation standards in 2024. The YB/T “Photovoltaic Mounting Steel Sections” industry standard was reviewed, specifying requirements for chemical composition, mechanical properties, and corrosion protection for mounting steel. As an important component of PV mounts, ground screws are gradually being incorporated into industry standards covering materials, corrosion protection, and load capacity.

Localised Customisation

In response to varying soil conditions across regions, ground screw products began moving toward localised customisation in 2024. Based on soil classification (clay, sandy soil, soft soil, rocky soil) and project load requirements, differentiated pile designs (single‑helix, double‑helix, different helix diameters, different pile lengths) were offered, improving the targeting and cost‑effectiveness of foundation engineering.

5. 2024 Technology Trend Summary

Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, ground screw technology for solar mounting will continue to evolve in the following directions:

Intelligent Installation: GPS‑guided rigs, real‑time torque monitoring, and automated data logging will become standard

Corrosion Protection Upgrades: Zn‑Al‑Mg coatings will become the mainstream choice for coastal and high‑corrosion environments

Lightweight and High‑Strength Materials: Higher‑strength steel will enable further reductions in material consumption

Integration with Trackers: Dedicated ground screw designs for tracking systems will become more refined

Standardisation System: National and industry standards for ground screws in PV applications will be further refined