Market Overview: Ground-Mounted Power Plants Lead New PV Installations, Mounting Systems Embrace Technology Upgrade Wave

In 2024, the global photovoltaic market experienced a major transformation. While residential PV was the main growth driver in previous years, the mainstay of new installations in 2024 has shifted to large-scale ground‑mounted PV power plants. This structural change brings new opportunities and challenges for mounting system suppliers – ground‑mounted projects are larger, involve more complex terrain, and demand higher installation efficiency and cost control.

In response to this trend, numerous mounting manufacturers worldwide have launched next‑generation ground‑mount systems, focusing on three core directions: adaptability to complex terrain, ease of installation, and material durability. From modular adjustable systems to concrete‑free anchoring solutions, from zinc‑aluminium‑magnesium coated steel to screw pile foundations, technological innovation is driving ground‑mount PV power plants toward greater efficiency, environmental friendliness, and economy.

Part One: New Product Launches – Modular and Adjustable Designs Become Mainstream

1.1 PMT Launches Titan Modular System: Significantly Enhanced On‑Site Adaptability

In 2024, PMT – Premium Mounting Technologies launched its latest ground‑mount solution, Titan, designed for small‑ to medium‑scale ground‑mount projects and for marginal land parcels that were previously economically unviable.

Key Features of the Titan System:

Bodo Krebs, Managing Director of PMT, said: “Our goal is to fill a long‑neglected market segment: small‑ to medium‑scale ground‑mount projects and those marginal land parcels that have only now become economically viable.”

1.2 Aerocompact Introduces Nail‑In Anchoring System: No Concrete, No Heavy Machinery

For sensitive sites such as landfills and soft ground, Aerocompact launched a new ground‑mount system based on steel supports.

Technical Innovations:

Nail‑in anchoring: Uses nails driven directly into the ground at a 45° angle with a rotary hammer, replacing more expensive screw anchors.

Adjustable when hitting stones: If a rock is encountered, the nail can be unscrewed using lateral threads, the angle adjusted, and then redriven.

Ballast option: The base of the support can be fitted with ballast blocks for sites where penetration is not allowed.

Steel upgrade: To handle the higher loads of larger modules, coated steel replaces aluminium.

Quadruple coating: A dip‑coating process gives a corrosion protection layer four times thicker than standard pile‑foundation systems.

Christian Ganahl, Technical Managing Director of Aerocompact, explained: “We initially considered screw anchors, but the cost was too high. Nails are cheaper and easier to handle.”

1.3 K2 Systems Upgrades N‑Rack: Screw‑Pile Foundation Suited to Small‑ and Medium‑Scale Projects

K2 Systems has optimised its N‑Rack system, specifically targeting the rapidly growing small‑ and medium‑scale power plant market.

Optimisation Highlights:

Screw‑pile adapter: Simplifies installation, eliminating the complex pull‑out tests required for traditional pile foundations.

Rapid soil classification: Only basic soil classification and sample analysis are needed to reliably determine system specifications.

On‑site flexibility: If a stone is encountered, the foundation can be unscrewed, the rock drilled out, and the foundation reinstalled.

Real‑time torque monitoring: Torque data during screw‑in provides real‑time feedback on load‑bearing capacity and quality documentation.

100‑150 kW: This version of N‑Rack is a cost‑effective modular solution for 100‑150 kW systems.

Lars Kreemke of K2 Systems noted: “For small projects in particular, the cost and effort of conventional foundations are disproportionate. Heavy machinery is simply not economical in most cases.”

1.4 T‑Werk Introduces Themis Levelling Clamp: Up to 30° Terrain Compensation

T‑Werk has introduced the Themis levelling clamp for its Silenos ground‑mount product line, allowing the entire mounting system to follow the contours of the terrain.

Technical Specifications:

Maximum compensation angle: 30°, without needing to split the module array.

Installation method: The clamp slides into keyhole‑shaped slots on the purlins; a U‑tube matches a semi‑circular notch and is secured by a circular housing.

Pre‑assembled delivery: Purlins come from the factory with levelling clamps already fitted, saving on‑site time.

T‑Werk says that installers simply repeat the process on adjacent purlins to precisely adjust the module angle; once the rails are aligned and stress‑free, tightening the housing locks the entire structure.

Part Two: Material Innovation – Zinc‑Aluminium‑Magnesium Coated Steel Becomes a New Option

2.1 HUEG Launches C‑Section Zinc‑Aluminium‑Magnesium Coated Steel Ground‑Mount System

In December 2024, Chinese PV mounting manufacturer HUEG (Hua Ding New Energy) released a new C‑section ground‑mount system made of zinc‑aluminium‑magnesium (ZAM) coated steel.

Material Breakthrough:

Patented Clamp Design:

20% strength increase: Uses a novel portable clamp design.

No flange holes: Unlike traditional systems that require multiple flange holes in the rails, HUEG‘s design eliminates this need, enhancing bending resistance and overall stability.

Purlin and beam optimisation: Strength is increased without extra holes, further simplifying installation.

The system can be used with both concrete foundations and pile foundations, making it suitable for large‑scale power plants as well as residential projects.

2.2 Mibet Releases GT1 Large‑Scale Ground‑Mount System: Terrain Adaptability a Highlight

In July 2024, Chinese mounting supplier Mibet launched the MRac Ground Terrace GT1 mounting system for large and utility‑scale PV power plants.

Product Parameters:

Case validation:
The system has been deployed in an 80 MW PV project in China. The GT1 structure can adapt its orientation to follow hilly terrain, effectively solving the installation difficulties of irregular sites.

Mibet emphasises that the system is custom‑designed on demand, with most components pre‑assembled at the factory, requiring no on‑site cutting or drilling.

Part Three: Extreme Environment Applications – Full Coverage from High Mountains to Deserts

3.1 HQ Mount Terrain‑Adaptive System: ±15° Inclination Compensation

At the Intersolar Europe 2025 exhibition, Chinese mounting company HQ Mount demonstrated its ground‑mount solution based on screw piles, featuring terrain‑adaptive capability.

Technical Features:

Patented screw pile: Can be screwed directly into the ground as a foundation.

±15° tilt compensation: The top support can be adjusted up/down by ±15° from horizontal to follow undulating terrain.

Multi‑soil adaptability: Suitable for sandy and frozen ground.

The product has passed a 3,000‑hour salt‑spray test for coastal high‑salinity areas, confirming its corrosion resistance.

3.2 Next‑Generation Modules: Larger Sizes, Higher Loads

At the KEY 2026 exhibition, several module manufacturers launched new products for ground‑mount power plants, imposing higher load‑bearing demands on mounting systems:

JA Solar DeepBlue 5.0: Uses n‑type TOPCon technology, double‑glass bifacial design, power up to 670 W; suitable for large commercial‑industrial rooftops and ground‑mount plants.

Aiko Infinite ABC: Optimised for tracking systems, weight 32.2 kg, efficiency 24.6%, power 665 W, using only copper for cell interconnection.

The continued increase in module size and weight is pushing mounting systems toward higher strength and greater reliability.

Part Four: Foundation Innovation – Screw Piles and Concrete‑Free Solutions Reduce Environmental Footprint

4.1 Tumuruu Project, Australia: PEG Concrete‑Free System Significantly Reduces Steel Use

In early 2026, Australian company Solar Enterprises applied for federal environmental approval for its 400 MW Tumuruu PV + storage project, which plans to use the PEG system from German company Jurchen Technology.

Key Advantages of the PEG System:

No concrete foundations: Thin steel rods can be rammed directly into the ground.

75% less steel: Compared to conventional substructures.

40% shorter installation time: Overall supply, logistics and installation time greatly reduced.

Low‑height design: About 1 m above ground, minimising visual impact.

East‑west orientation: Gentle wave‑like arrangement optimises the generation curve.

Installation with common tools: Can be installed using basic hand tools, making it feasible to hire local unskilled labour.

Chris Elder, CEO of ASE, said: “These systems offer high land utilisation and a smaller project footprint, reduce ground disturbance, and minimise visual impact through their low profile and fixed‑tilt panels.”

To date, the PEG system has been installed in more than 500 MW of projects worldwide, including over 15 projects in Australia.

4.2 K2 Screw‑Pile Solution: No Heavy Machinery Required

K2 Systems‘ N‑Rack screw‑pile solution represents another technical path – connecting screw foundations to the mounting system via an adapter, eliminating the need for large piling equipment. It is particularly suitable for projects in the 100‑150 kW range.

Comparison with Traditional Pile Foundations:

Part Five: Electrical Safety Upgrades – Stricter Standards for Grounding and Equipotential Bonding

As ground‑mount power plants grow in size, electrical safety is receiving more attention. Several IEEE papers in 2024 noted that the need for equipotential bonding of metallic PV mounting structures, tracking systems, etc., should be assessed on a case‑by‑case basis according to the specific characteristics of the system.

Key considerations:

If the insulation of a servo motor in a tracking system fails, the metal structure can become live.

An effective grounding system is essential to limit voltage differences and protect personnel and equipment.

The number and configuration of grounding devices must be determined according to the soil type of the installation area.

Mounting system suppliers are responding to this trend by integrating grounding features into their designs to meet international standards such as UL 2703.

Part Six: Technology Trend Summary – Five Evolutionary Directions for Ground‑Mount Systems in 2024

Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the ground‑mount PV mounting system market will continue to see strong technological innovation. As module power increases and dimensions grow, mounting systems will need to offer higher load‑bearing capacity and greater wind resistance. At the same time, with ever‑tightening land resources, mounting solutions that can adapt to complex terrain and minimise the environmental footprint will gain more market favour.

From PMT‘s modular Titan and Aerocompact’s nail‑in anchoring, through K2‘s screw‑pile adapter and HUEG’s ZAM‑coated steel, to Jurchen‘s PEG concrete‑free system – the technological innovations in ground‑mount systems in 2024 are providing more flexible, efficient and environmentally friendly support solutions for the large‑scale development of PV power plants.

In a Nutshell

In 2024, ground‑mount PV mounting systems are moving from “standardised” to “scenario‑based” – modular designs make installation more flexible, concrete‑free solutions make construction greener, and ZAM‑coated steel makes supports more durable, providing a solid foundation for cost reduction, efficiency gains and large‑scale development of ground‑mount power plants.