Introduction: PV Mounting Structures – The “Hidden Skeleton” for Stable Power Plant Operation

In 2024, as the photovoltaic industry continued its rapid growth, with attention focused on breakthroughs in module conversion efficiency and innovations in cell technology, the PV mounting structure – the unsung "backbone" that provides critical support – has also experienced a pivotal year of technological advancement and industrial transformation.

As the "skeleton" of a PV power generation system, the technical quality and performance of PV mounting structures directly impact a power plant’s power generation efficiency and investment returns. In 2024, with continued global growth in newly installed PV capacity, the PV mounting structure industry showed significant evolutionary trends in product forms, materials, processes, and application scenarios. The accelerating penetration of trackers, emphasis on lightweight yet high-strength materials, deep integration of BIPV, and a surge in patent activity together outline the technological landscape of the rooftop solar mounting structure sector for the year.

I. Market Overview: Steady Global Growth, China’s C&I Distributed Segment Leads

1. Global Market Size

According to 6Wresearch, the global solar panel mounting structure market was valued at approximately US$5𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛2024𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡𝑜𝑈𝑆$billioninandisprojectedtogrowtoUS7.27 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.60%. QYResearch data indicates that the global PV mounting structure (solar rack) market was approximately US$15.466𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑛2024𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑈𝑆$billioninandisexpectedtoreachUS25.454 billion by 2031, a CAGR of 7.4%. While the numbers vary slightly between sources, they point to the same conclusion: the global PV mounting structure market is on a steady growth trajectory.

2. China Market Performance

As the world leader in the PV industry, China added 277.57 GWac of new PV capacity in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 28%, bringing cumulative installed capacity to 886 GWac. Notably, the market structure saw profound shifts:

C&I distributed PV: added 88.63 GWac (+68% YoY), becoming the main driver of distributed PV growth;

Residential PV: added 29.55 GWac (-32% YoY), showing a clear contraction in 2024;

Utility-scale ground-mounted plants: added 159.39 GWac (+33% YoY), still accounting for 57% of new capacity.

This structural shift has had a deep impact on the rooftop PV mounting industry – C&I rooftop projects have higher technical requirements for mounting structures (load capacity, waterproofing, installation efficiency, long-term reliability), forcing manufacturers to accelerate technological innovation and product upgrades.

II. Technology Trend: Trackers Moving from “Optional” to “Essential”

In 2024, the most prominent technology trend in the PV mounting industry was the accelerating penetration of solar trackers. A July 2024 special report by China Energy News pointed out that PV mounting structures are evolving from fixed mounts to trackers, and that tracker penetration will continue to rise globally. According to Dongfang Fortune Securities, global tracker shipments are expected to reach 95 GW, 115 GW, and 135 GW in 2024, 2025, and 2026 respectively; the domestic Chinese market is also poised for rapid growth, with a CAGR of over 20% over the next five years.

The key reason trackers are favored is their significant boost to power generation efficiency. Ma Weiming, President of TrinaTracker, explained that trackers mainly consist of a structural system, drive system, and control system. They track the sun's position and actively adjust the module orientation to maximize solar radiation. A senior executive from a PV EPC company said that in flat, high-albedo sites, combining trackers with bifacial modules can increase power generation by 10 to 15 percentage points.

Trackers also offer unique safety advantages. In extreme weather, trackers can automatically return to a stow angle, effectively resisting high winds, hail, and heavy snow. In September 2024, Super Typhoon Yagi (Category 5+) made landfall in Wenchang, Hainan. A fishing‑solar hybrid project by DAS Solar using flexible PV mounting structures, located only 40 km from the typhoon’s eye, withstood the storm. Post-typhoon EL testing by TÜV Rheinland showed excellent results for the modules on key metrics.

III. Surge in Patents: Roof PV Mounting Structure Innovation Accelerates

In 2024, Chinese companies saw a significant increase in patent applications and grants for rooftop PV mounting structures, with diversified technology routes.

1. Adjustable Mounting Structures

In December 2024, Shanghai Youyun New Energy Co., Ltd. obtained a patent for a "roof scissor-type adjustable PV mounting structure". The design uses a scissor support frame and an adjusting screw to flexibly change the tilt angle of the PV module mounting frame, providing stable and reliable operation. This adjustable design is especially suitable for regions with large seasonal changes in solar elevation angle, increasing annual generation without adding system complexity.

2. Flexible Mounting Structures

Flexible PV mounting structures offer advantages such as large span, high clearance, high reliability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of installation, making them an effective solution for complex terrains and challenging applications. In December 2024, LONGi obtained a patent for a "flexible PV mounting structure anchor assembly and PV power generation system". The anchor assembly includes a frame, adjustment components, and a rotary connector. Through a pull-cable fixing member and rotary connector design, it improves PV power generation technology. DAS Solar also made breakthroughs in flexible structures, with its in-house developed flexible mounting passing wind tunnel tests conducted by TÜV SÜD and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics at wind speeds exceeding 46 m/s.

3. Special Roofing Solutions

For pre-stressed concrete double-tee roofs commonly found in industrial buildings, Zhejiang Green Energy Clean Energy Co., Ltd. obtained a patent for a "PV mounting structure installation method for pre-stressed concrete double-tee TPO roofs". The design uses triangular stabilizing systems formed by columns and inclined beams to evenly distribute the PV system loads to the support structure below, solving the installation challenge for special roof types.

4. Lightweight Connection Technology

A "PV module connection device" patent obtained by SPIC Technology Engineering adopts a steel‑aluminum composite structure. Paired with lightweight PV modules, it reduces weight by 70% compared to conventional modules, effectively solving the insufficient roof load capacity safety risk for traditional rooftop PV installations.

IV. Material Innovation: Lightweighting and Cost Reduction of Aluminum Frames

As the "skeleton" of PV modules, frames need high strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight properties. In 2024, faced with rising aluminum prices and module cost‑reduction pressures, innovation in aluminum alloys became a focal point.

At the SNEC exhibition in June 2024, Xinbo shares showcased its newly developed PV frame material. Based on micro-alloying technology (adding Zr, Cr, etc.) and adjusting the Mg/Si ratio, the company upgraded homogenizing, extrusion, and quenching processes. The new material shows better mechanical properties and corrosion resistance than traditional aluminum frame materials.

In November 2024, Xinbo shares further announced at the inauguration of the Anhui Aluminum Association that the new aluminum alloy material could reduce costs by 2%–3%; combined with PV system structural optimization, total cost reduction could reach 7%–10%. In addition, the recycled value of the new material can be as high as 89%, reflecting a green circular economy design philosophy. Xinbo shares has signed strategic supply agreements for about 20 GW with several leading PV module manufacturers, and plans to supply 30 GW (120,000 tons) of the new material in 2025.

V. Policy Support: Distributed PV Management Increasingly Standardized

In 2024, the National Energy Administration (NEA) continued to refine the policy framework for distributed PV, providing institutional guarantees for healthy rooftop PV market development.

In August, the NEA issued a reply to a proposal of the Second Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), clearly stating three measures: issue the "Distributed PV Power Generation Development and Management Measures" to strengthen guidance; continuously improve distribution network adaptability, enhance smart grid upgrades, and improve grid balancing capability; and strongly promote distributed PV participation in the electricity market and green certificate trading.

A July reply letter noted that by the end of 2023, total distributed PV capacity reached 254 GW, accounting for about 42% of total PV capacity. The NEA is revising the "Interim Measures for the Management of Distributed PV Power Generation Projects", intending to further clarify definitions and classifications based on investment entity, construction site, access voltage level, etc., and refine management requirements for filing, development, grid access, and operation.

The county‑wide rooftop distributed PV pilot program launched in 2021 continued to deepen in 2024, setting targets of "no less than 50%, 40%, 30%, and 20% of total rooftop area capable of being covered by PV" for different building categories. Policies also strongly promote rural distributed PV development, coordinating the use of rural rooftops for PV installation.

VI. BIPV Integration: Deep Integration of PV and Architecture

In 2024, Building‑Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) showed strong momentum in the rooftop PV mounting sector. BIPV integrates PV modules with building components, placing higher demands on waterproofing, wind resistance, and structural reliability of the mounting system.

1. Antai New Energy: Full‑Scenario Solutions

At the March 2024 Jinan Solar Energy Utilization Conference, Antai New Energy showcased its flagship BIPV product "Taiyang Ding" all‑aluminum BIPV system. The system uses a "external drainage + internal sealing" waterproof concept, achieving 100% waterproofing through six tightly matched waterproof components. For fire safety, the product passed CMA‑certified tests with a 2‑hour fire resistance rating. In real installations, it increases installation efficiency by about 50% and reduces material and labor costs by 20% compared to conventional solutions.

2. Trina Green Building: Four New BIPV Products

In October 2024, Trina Green Building launched four new BIPV products: TEG photovoltaic flat tiles, TEG photovoltaic industrial walls, TEG photovoltaic noise barriers, and TEG colored photovoltaic glass. The TEG photovoltaic flat tile can be used on various public building roofs. With a 3.2 mm double‑glass design, it weighs only about 40% of traditional clay tiles, has a maximum module efficiency of 19.4%, a maximum installation coverage efficiency of 20.9%, and has passed wind resistance tests at 177 km/h (equivalent to resisting a Category 15 typhoon).

3. Sun‑Tracking & Protective BIPV Mounting Structure

In December 2024, Henan CCES Integrated Energy Service Co., Ltd. applied for a patent for a "sun‑tracking and protective BIPV mounting structure system". The system adjusts the tilt angle of PV modules by controlling the lifting height of a lifting device, driving a sleeve ring to slide vertically along a column, thus improving PV generation efficiency by tracking the sun’s position.

VII. Overseas Exhibitions and Global Expansion of Chinese Companies

In 2024, Chinese PV mounting structure companies made strong appearances at international exhibitions, demonstrating robust global competitiveness. In June, Mibet showcased its floating PV, tracker systems, balcony mounts, and BIPV carports at Intersolar Europe in Germany, covering C&I and residential applications with high efficiency, economic adaptability, and stable support.

At SNEC Shanghai in June, Antai New Energy released its new brand positioning – "Digital and intelligent PV mounting structure and system solution expert" – marking the company’s strategic transformation from a traditional mounting manufacturer to a provider of intelligent, digital