Introduction: Solar Mounts – From Supporting Role to Technology Core

In early 2024, as global PV installed capacity continued to climb, the solar mounting industry experienced an intensive burst of technological innovation. As the “skeleton” of a PV power plant, the technical level of the mounting system directly affects the plant‘s power generation efficiency, construction cost, and long‑term reliability. From intelligent breakthroughs in tracking systems to large‑span applications of flexible mounts, from large‑scale deployment of weather‑resistant steels to patented innovations for offshore PV mounts, the early‑2024 mounting industry is undergoing a profound transformation from “standardised accessory” to “scenario‑specific customisation”.

As industry experts have noted, the choice of PV mounting system has a significant impact on the strength of the PV power generation system and the amount of solar radiation received; selecting the right type of mount is critical to improving the profitability of PV power generation.

1. Tracking Mounts: From Mechanical Linkage to Intelligent Drive

1.1 HDsolar at Intersolar 2024: Brake Technology Solves Wind‑Induced Vibration

In June 2024, at Intersolar Europe in Munich, leading PV tracker manufacturer HDsolar showcased its core products and technological breakthroughs. The company highlighted its brakes for tracking systems and split bearing housings, and shared its forward‑looking integration of CSP‑storage and the hydrogen energy industry chain.

Technical Highlights:

HDsolar currently has an annual production capacity of more than 6,000 MW, holds over 100 patents, has installed 15 GW of tracking systems, and has supplied PV mounting solutions to more than 50 countries and regions worldwide.

1.2 Tracker Penetration Continues to Increase

According to industry research, single‑axis trackers can increase power generation by 15‑25% by adjusting the module angle in real time, making them particularly attractive in high‑irradiation regions. In China, the market penetration of trackers is steadily increasing, and the distributed PV mounting market is also growing rapidly. Research from Haikou shows that by simulating the power generation effects of different PV mounts and calculating the payback period, tracking mounts offer better economics than fixed mounts.

1.3 Clenergy Plans RMB 500 Million Investment for Smart Factory Expansion

In November 2024, Clenergy announced plans to issue convertible corporate bonds to unspecified objects, raising a total of no more than RMB 500 million. Of this, RMB 354 million will be used to build a smart distributed PV mounting system factory, RMB 81.62 million for an energy R&D centre, and the remainder to supplement working capital.

Clenergy has more than 17 years of experience in PV mounting manufacturing, is one of China‘s leading PV mounting manufacturers, and is a top‑tier supplier of mounting systems for distributed PV systems in Australia. According to its semi‑annual report, Clenergy’s distributed PV mounting business achieved operating revenue of RMB 362 million, intelligent tracker revenue of RMB 4.16 million, and ground PV mounting system revenue of RMB 327 million, a year‑on‑year increase of 102.21%.

2. Material Innovation: Weather‑Resistant Steel and Green Manufacturing Become New Directions

2.1 Baosteel “Sun Chaser” Series: “Danxia Steel” Monthly Orders Exceed 12,000 Tonnes

In June 2024, at the 17th SNEC International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Exhibition, Baosteel‘s “Sun Chaser” series of green PV mounting products made a striking appearance and won the “Megawatt‑level Jade Award”.

Core Technological Breakthroughs:

Danxia Steel: As a core material driving green innovation in PV power generation technology, its monthly orders exceeded 12,000 tonnes in May 2024.

C5 environment application: Successfully used in a coastal tidal‑flat project in China, achieving the first large‑scale application of super weather‑resistant steel in a marine tidal‑flat environment.

Bekind‑PV solution: A green PV mounting solution jointly developed by Baosteel‘s Innovation Centre and Marketing Centre.

Cumulative application: As of June 2024, Danxia Steel had been supplied for more than 45,000 tonnes and used in 1.5 GW of PV projects.

Scenario coverage: Projects in Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, Hubei, Shanxi, Xinjiang, Shandong and other regions, covering mountains, coal mine backfill areas, iron tailings sites, agrivoltaics, fishery‑solar hybrids, deserts, coastal tidal flats and other diverse scenarios.

Baosteel adheres to the development philosophy of “green manufacturing, green products, green industry”, continuously promoting the green and low‑carbon transformation of the steel industry and its supply chain.

2.2 General Technical Specification for PV Mounts Released

On 20 September 2024, the group standard “General Technical Specification for Photovoltaic Mounts” (T/UNP 193‑2024) was officially released and came into effect on 20 December 2024. The standard is under the jurisdiction of the China United Procurement Promotion Association and was drafted by Chongqing Fengdu New Materials Co., Ltd., Liuzhou OVM Machinery Co., Ltd., Shenlong Bayer Technology Hengshui Co., Ltd., and several other organisations.

The release of this standard marks a shift in the PV mounting industry from “fragmented practices” to “unified standards”, providing a common technical basis for the design, manufacture, inspection and acceptance of mounting products.

3. Special‑Scenario Mounts: Flexible, Offshore and Tracking Advance Together

3.1 Large‑Span Flexible Mounts: Conquering Complex Terrain

For land resources in valleys, hills and gullies that are difficult to develop, large‑span flexible PV mounts offer an innovative solution. The 100 MW agrivoltaics project in Long County, Baoji, has fully demonstrated that flexible PV mounts can effectively overcome the difficulties of complex terrain.

Advantages of Flexible Mounts:

Overcome the drawbacks of traditional PV mounts, such as high pile density, high cost, complex structure and poor safety.

Make idle land resources productive while saving construction investment costs.

Suitable for agrivoltaics and other dual‑use scenarios.

3.2 Offshore PV Mounts: Patent Published for Adjustable Jacking System

In November 2024, a patent was published for an adjustable jacking installation mount system suitable for offshore PV platforms. The invention overcomes key technical difficulties in the installation of offshore PV platforms by integrating three‑dimensional control, vibration damping control, and a precise jacking mechanism.

Technical Innovations:

A three‑dimensional control mechanism is provided directly above the jacking base.

A vibration‑damping control mechanism copes with offshore waves and wind.

Multiple support column assemblies work together with a contact plate mechanism to achieve a reliable connection between the PV platform and the support structure.

Improves installation efficiency and enhances system adaptability and safety.

This patent provides an innovative solution for the construction of offshore PV facilities and is of great significance for promoting the large‑scale development of offshore PV.

3.3 S‑5! Launches New Rooftop PV Components

In April 2024, US‑based S‑5! announced the launch of two new mounting components for the Australian market. The MLPE Mount provides a versatile method to secure and bond microinverters and power optimisers, attaching them directly to the underside of solar panels mounted on metal roofs.

Product Features:

304 stainless steel body and fastener.

Suitable for MLPE devices weighing less than 1.3 kg.

Can be installed before the modules are lifted onto the roof.

Can be used in rail‑based installations or with rail‑less systems.

The Protea II mounting bracket, also launched at the same time, fits most trapezoidal rib (single‑skin and insulated) metal panel roofs. It features an adjustable attachment base to accommodate different rib widths, heights and angles, with a top length of up to 90 mm, and is suitable for both rail and rail‑less systems.

S‑5! mounting solutions are now installed on more than 2.5 million metal roofs worldwide, representing 7.3 GW of rooftop solar.

4. Market Landscape and Outlook

4.1 Distributed PV Mounting Market Continues to Expand

According to research by Global Info Research, the distributed PV mounting market is segmented by type into rooftop and ground‑mount systems, and by application into residential and commercial categories. Major players include IronRidge, K2 Systems, SnapNRack, Antaisolar, Clenergy and other international brands.

4.2 Technology Trend Summary

Outlook

Looking ahead to the second half of 2024 and beyond, the PV mounting industry will continue to evolve along three major directions: intelligence, scenario‑specific design, and green manufacturing.

Increased tracker penetration: As AI algorithms and brake technology mature, tracking mounts will move from “optional” to “standard”.

Large‑scale application of new materials: High‑performance materials such as weather‑resistant steel and Zn‑Al‑Mg coated steel will gradually replace traditional galvanised steel.

Customisation for special scenarios: Dedicated mounting solutions for offshore, over‑water, mountainous and other complex sites will continue to emerge.

Improved standard system: From group standards to industry standards, the quality threshold for mounting products will continue to rise.

Deepened green manufacturing: Full‑life‑cycle carbon footprint management – from material production to mount manufacturing – will become a new competitive dimension.

In a Nutshell

In early 2024, PV farm bracket technology is undergoing a profound transformation from “rigid support” to “intelligent adaptation” – trackers are smarter, flexible mounts are more adaptable, and weather‑resistant steels are greener, providing solid support for cost reduction, efficiency improvement and scenario expansion of PV power plants.