In 2023, the global photovoltaic installed capacity continued to grow rapidly, placing PV mounting structures—often referred to as the “skeleton” of power plants—in the spotlight regarding market demand and technological evolution. The industry exhibited the following notable trends over the year:
Rapid Increase in Tracker Penetration
Driven by the pursuit of higher energy yield in utility-scale projects and the stabilization of supply chain costs, the penetration rate of trackers in large-scale PV plants increased significantly. Particularly in high-irradiation regions such as the Middle East, Latin America, and western China, the combination of bifacial modules and tracking systems became a “golden combination” for boosting IRR. Several leading tracker manufacturers reported record shipments, while market concentration continued to move toward top players.
Local Manufacturing and Supply Chain Resilience in Focus
Influenced by global trade policies and local manufacturing incentive acts (e.g., the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act), PV mounting companies accelerated their overseas capacity expansions in 2023. Chinese manufacturers established localized production bases in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe and the U.S. to mitigate trade barriers and meet local content requirements. Meanwhile, supply chain diversification and volatility in raw material prices (such as galvanized steel and aluminum profiles) drove companies to strengthen inventory management and long-term supply agreements.
Upgrading Toward Intelligence and Digitalization
Smart tracking algorithms, remote monitoring and maintenance, and integrated “tracker + inverter” solutions became technological highlights in 2023. AI-based optimization of tracking angles delivered an additional 2–4% energy yield gain. In addition, flexible mounting systems matured for applications in complex terrains—such as fishery-PV and agro-PV hybrids—offering new possibilities for dual land use.
Accelerated Innovation in C&I and Residential Rooftop Mounting
In the distributed PV segment, rapid iteration occurred in quick-installation systems, waterproof mounting solutions, and BIPV products tailored for various roof types (metal sheet, concrete, EPDM, etc.). In 2023, European and Southeast Asian markets showed strong demand for lightweight, easy-to-install, and highly adaptable rooftop mounting systems, with Chinese manufacturers enjoying robust export orders.
Overall, the PV mounting industry in 2023 transitioned from being cost-driven to technology-and-service-driven amid continued capacity expansion, while the global competitive landscape underwent significant restructuring.
