As the supporting structure of a PV power plant, solar mounts must operate stably for over 25 years in outdoor environments. Anti-corrosion performance is a core indicator determining their lifecycle reliability. According to PV mount industry standards released in 2025, the minimum thickness for hot-dip galvanized coatings has been raised to 85μm, with a salt-spray test life requirement of over 30 years – a significant increase from the previous typical range of 55-120μm.

The anti-corrosion principle of HDG technology involves dipping steel components into molten zinc at approximately 450°C, forming a metallurgical bond with the steel surface. This not only provides a physical barrier but also offers cathodic protection to scratches through sacrificial anode action. HDG-treated solar mounts can achieve a service life of 25–30 years under standard environments, and up to 50 years in general conditions.

Meanwhile, the application of zinc-aluminum-magnesium (ZAM) coating technology is expanding rapidly. ZAM coatings consist of 86% zinc, 11% aluminum, and 3% magnesium, offering 2–5 times better corrosion resistance than traditional galvanized coatings. Their unique "self-healing" property forms a protective film on cut edges, reducing lifecycle maintenance costs by approximately 62%. In highly corrosive environments such as coastal areas, the use of ZAM-coated steel is steadily increasing – although its unit price is higher, the total lifecycle cost is more competitive.

Market Landscape: Galvanized Steel Accounts for Nearly 80%, Rising Concentration Among Leading Companies

Globally, the market size for aluminum and steel solar mounts reached $21.756 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $33.765 billion by 2031, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.6%. In the Chinese market, galvanized steel solar mounts account for as much as 78.6%, holding a dominant position, while aluminum alloy mounts are mainly used in distributed rooftop projects.

Industry standardization is accelerating. In 2025, relevant authorities repeatedly emphasized strengthening PV industry regulation, curbing disorderly low-price competition, and strictly enforcing product quality standards. Mount manufacturers are optimizing material selection to meet stricter market requirements, with leading companies further consolidating their market positions through technical expertise and scale advantages. Representative companies such as Jiangsu Guoxing Xingsheng Energy have built complete industrial chains covering high-end raw material manufacturing, system design and R&D, HDG processing, and complete supply. With over 100 technical patents, they have successfully been included in the annual mount procurement lists of major energy enterprises such as CGN (China General Nuclear Power Group).

Production Capacity Exports: First China-Laos Railway PV Freight Train Marks Accelerated Export of Domestic Mounts

In March 2026, a landmark export event occurred for HDG solar mounts. The "China-Laos Railway – Panzhihua to Vientiane" PV special freight train made its maiden voyage, carrying 300 tonnes of smart solar mounts to Vientiane, Laos. This was the first batch of the first overseas order for "Panzhihua-made" steel products in 2026.

The exported smart solar mounts use raw materials from hot-dip galvanized (ZAM) products produced by Pangang Group. They include three main categories (rafters, diagonal braces, purlins) across five models. The order was fulfilled through collaboration among three companies: Panzhihua Gangcheng Group Trading Co., Ltd., Renzhuo Intelligent Panzhihua Production Base, and Panzhihua Zelong Logistics Co., Ltd. The entire process – from contract signing and production to container loading and dispatch – took less than two months, with delivery of the full 2,600-tonne order expected to be completed by the end of March. This case demonstrates the production efficiency and supply chain coordination of "Panzhihua-made" solar mounts, and marks the accelerated entry of domestic HDG solar mounts into the Southeast Asian market via the Belt and Road Initiative.

Ease of Installation: Modular Designs Lower Construction Barriers

With rapidly growing PV installations in emerging markets, ease of installation has become a key competitive advantage for HDG solar mounts. A representative project is the successful delivery of a 300KW hot-dip galvanized steel PV power plant in Africa by HQMOUNT. The system features a DIY-friendly design with simplified components, allowing local technicians to assemble it without specialized tools. Pre-drilled modular components significantly reduce installation time. The HDG-coated steel mounts were optimized for African climatic conditions, ensuring anti-corrosion performance and long service life.

In China, companies such as Hangzhou Huading Solar Technology Co., Ltd. are also making continuous efforts in modular design. Their HDG03-SM series ground-mount single-pillar system adopts an integrated pile-post design, with all components produced in standardized sizes through mass production. All connections are made with fasteners, achieving zero welding. This results in high installation efficiency and strong compatibility, suitable for large power plants on various soil types. Xiamen Lvsen New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. provides full-process services from site surveying and BIM design to wind load simulation. Their HDG C-channel steel mounts have a coating thickness of 60–80μm and can adapt to complex terrains such as deserts and grasslands.

Policy Drivers: Standardized Development Accelerates, HDG Remains Mainstream Choice

On the policy front, signals for standardized development of the PV industry are increasingly clear. Authorities have called for strengthened industry regulation, curbing disorderly low-price competition, and improving price monitoring mechanisms. This will encourage mount manufacturers to pay more attention to material quality and lifecycle cost.

Looking ahead, as global annual PV additions transition from a phase of rapid growth to stable growth, large-scale centralized PV power plants in emerging markets will continue to flourish. In this context, HDG solar mounts – with their mature anti-corrosion technology, excellent cost-performance ratio, and continuously optimized installation efficiency – will continue to serve as the "skeleton" of ground-mounted power stations, supporting the global clean energy development blueprint. At the same time, the expanded application of new coating materials such as ZAM, the promotion of modular designs, and the acceleration of production capacity exports will bring new growth opportunities to this traditional material.