Introduction: From “One‑Size‑Fits‑All” to “Precision Adaptation”

In 2024, the global roof photovoltaic mounting system market experienced dual drivers of technological innovation and standard certification. As PV application scenarios extend from traditional flat roofs to metal roofs, corrugated steel sheets, curved roofs, and other diversified directions, the design philosophy of mounting systems has shifted from “universal” to “scenario‑specific customisation”.

From DCE Solar‘s Eco‑Top achieving UL 3741 safety certification, to S-5!’s 50 new patents in a single year; from France‘s EPC Solaire launching a lightweight waterproof integrated system, to the Nordic RAULI FLAT vertical installation solution – the 2024 roof mounting market exhibits distinct characteristics of safety standardisation, lightweight installation, and scenario segmentation.

Part One: Flat Roof Mounting Systems – Dual Upgrades in Safety and Efficiency

1.1 DCE Solar Eco‑Top: UL 3741 Certification Sets a New Safety Benchmark

In August 2024, US company DCE Solar announced that its Eco‑Top roof solar mounting structure had successfully achieved UL 3741 certification, meeting NEC 2020 requirements.

Key Product Features:

DCE Solar offers two main options: Eco‑Top High Density (20% higher capacity per square foot) and Eco‑Top‑MR specifically for metal roofs. All structural components are manufactured from g115 galvanised steel. The system is suitable for flat roofs with 5° or 10° tilt, shadow spacing of 14 or 18 inches, and supports all major module brands.

Bill Taylor, CEO of DCE Solar, stated: “Receiving UL 3741 certification for the Eco‑Top roof solution underscores our commitment to safety, innovation, and efficiency in the solar industry. This certification not only validates the quality of our product but also provides confidence to customers investing in top‑tier safe solar solutions.”

1.2 EPC Solaire iNovaR: Lightweight Waterproof Integrated System

In December 2024, French mounting system supplier EPC Solaire launched a new mounting system designed specifically for flat roofs undergoing renovation, developed in partnership with French roofing specialist Sika and insulation material supplier Recticel.

Technical Breakthroughs:

The system is entirely made of aluminium produced in France and preserves the integrity of existing components. Ferrer Payen, Managing Director of EPC Solaire, said: “We designed a solution that protects the existing ribbed metal sheet roofing, avoiding any roof exposure and operational losses. It combines full renovation of the waterproofing layer, installation of Class C insulation material, and installation of solar modules.”

1.3 RAULI FLAT: Vertical Installation and Welded Fixation Solution

In July 2024, Nordic mounting system manufacturer RAULI launched the innovative RAULI FLAT flat‑roof system, featuring a unique vertical installation design.

Core Innovations:

RAULI uses a browser‑based RAULI APP for project planning, calculating the number of modules, system weight, product carbon footprint, and generation estimates. The same modules can be used for both east‑west and south‑facing installations.

Part Two: Metal Roof Mounting Systems – S‑5!’s Patent Portfolio and Rail‑less Technology Breakthroughs

2.1 50 New Patents in 2024

In December 2024, S‑5!, the global leader in metal roof solar attachment solutions, announced that it had been granted 50 new patents in 2024 alone, bringing its total patent portfolio to 194 since its first patent application in 1991.

These patents span multiple major markets worldwide:

European Union: 12

China: 9

United States: 8

India: 6

Australia: 4

Others: New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Costa Rica, Kuwait, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, etc.

Rob Haddock, Founder and CEO of S‑5!, stated: “Issued patents are the proof of innovation. S‑5! is not just a manufacturer; we are an innovation‑driven company.”

2.2 Protea™ Rail‑less Solar Mounting Solution

The Indian Patent Office granted S‑5! patent #423672‑001 for its new Protea™ rail‑less PV solar mounting solution, designed for mounting framed solar modules to trapezoidal metal roofs while providing certified electrical bonding and grounding.

2.3 Key Third‑Party Certifications

In 2024, S‑5! also achieved several significant third‑party certifications:

FM 4478 certification: The Ensolro System (including PVKIT HUR 2.0) can withstand wind uplift forces up to 150 psf, suitable for high‑wind and hurricane zones

Florida Product Approvals (FPA) for High Velocity and Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) – a rigorous approval for high wind zones

S‑5! is the first metal roof mounting system manufacturer in its pioneering product category to achieve these industry‑defining accreditations.

S‑5! mounting solutions are now installed on more than 2.5 million metal roofs worldwide, representing 8 GW of rooftop solar.

Part Three: Corrugated Steel Sheet Roof Mounts – East‑West Slope Patent Breakthrough

In December 2024, Shandong Yinkaite Energy Technology Co., Ltd. obtained a patent for an “East‑west slope corrugated steel sheet roof PV mount” (Authorization No. CN 222120771 U).

Technical Solution:

This patented mount is specifically designed for east‑west slope corrugated steel sheet roof PV projects, including:

Ground rails arranged on the corrugated steel sheet roof via clamps

Columns arranged on the ground rails via hinge bases

Rafters connected to the columns via hinge bases and adjustment assemblies

Rafters also connected to the ground rails via hinge joints

Purlins fixed to the side of the rafters away from the ground rails

Technical Value: This east‑west slope corrugated steel sheet roof PV mount can effectively increase the power generation per unit area, reduce project investment costs, and improve the power generation efficiency of PV projects.

Part Four: Flexible PV Mounts – LONGi Patent and DAS Solar Wind Tunnel Validation

4.1 LONGi Green Energy: Flexible PV Mount Anchor Structure Patent

In December 2024, the China National Intellectual Property Administration revealed that LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. had obtained a patent for a “Flexible PV Mount Anchor Structure and PV Power Generation System” (Authorization No. CN 222122134 U).

Technical Solution: The anchor structure includes a frame body with first and second fixing members spaced apart along a first direction. An adjustment component is positioned between them, featuring a cable fixing member with cable holes for securing cables. A rotating connector connects the adjustment component to both fixing members, with the axis of the rotating connector perpendicular to the axis of the cable holes.

This design enables flexible cable connection through the rotating connector, further advancing the maturity of flexible mount technology.

4.2 DAS Solar: Wind Tunnel Validation Confirms Wind Resistance

In September 2024, DAS Solar‘s “Wind Tunnel Test Study on Wind Load and Wind‑Induced Vibration Response of Flexible PV Mounts” project passed acceptance in Nanjing. The test was conducted by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Main Wind Tunnel Test Results:

Wind load distribution characteristics studied for two different scale‑ratio flexible PV mounts

In‑depth analysis of structural wind‑induced vibration response characteristics

Refined full‑scale models and finite element models established

Wind tunnel test wind speed: 46 m/s

The research showed that DAS Solar’s PV modules and flexible mounts remain stable under extreme conditions, demonstrating excellent wind resistance, structural integrity, and long‑term durability.

DAS Solar‘s self‑developed new‑generation flexible mount uses pre‑stressed steel strands instead of traditional purlins. Two pre‑stressed steel strands bear the load in the east‑west direction, while a flexible inter‑row stabilising wind‑resistant system in the north‑south direction forms a spatial cable‑net structure that effectively resists external loads and greatly improves wind‑induced vibration performance.

Part Five: Adjustable Mounting Brackets – Electric Adjustment and Intelligence

In November 2024, Baorunda, a company listed on the NEEQ Innovation Layer, was granted a new patent: an “Adjustable Mounting Bracket” (Patent No. CN 202323468026.2).

Technical Solution:

This adjustable mounting bracket uses a recirculating servo electric push cylinder designed at the bottom of the inclined support plate. A control switch is connected via a power cable and an inverter to the solar PV panel fixed above the inclined support plate. The inverter converts solar energy into electrical energy stored in a battery, supplying the DC power required by the recirculating servo electric push cylinder.

Design Advantages:

The inclined support plate is raised or lowered by the recirculating servo electric push cylinder via a bottom top plate

The inclined support plate can be freely positioned within multiple positioning grooves via support columns, allowing the support to be adjusted to a certain angle

The recirculating servo electric push cylinder is positioned at the bottom of the inclined support plate, shielding it from rain and extending its service life

No external AC power connection; convenient for outdoor use

Suitable for home use or large‑scale PV panel array combinations

Part Six: 2024 Roof Mount Technology Trend Summary

Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, roof PV mounting systems will continue to deepen development in the following directions:

Safety certification upgrades: Standards such as UL 3741 will become the “entry barrier” for roof mounts; certified products can greatly simplify system design and reduce costs

Lightweight material applications: The use of lightweight materials such as aluminium and high‑strength steel will further reduce roof load requirements

Installation efficiency revolution: Innovations such as bolt‑free, welded fixation, and telescopic designs will significantly shorten construction periods

Scenario segmentation: Dedicated solutions for east‑west slope corrugated steel sheets, flexible roofs, renovation roofs, and other special scenarios will continue to emerge

Smart adjustment proliferation: Electrically adjustable mounts will move from “optional” to “standard”, improving generation efficiency

In a Nutshell

In 2024 – from DCE Solar‘s UL 3741 safety certification to S-5!’s 50 new patents, from EPC Solaire‘s lightweight waterproof system to RAULI FLAT’s vertical installation solution – roof PV mounting systems are providing solid support for the large‑scale development of distributed PV with safer, lighter, and smarter technology paths.