1. Global Market Continues to Expand, Driving Demand for Tiled Roof Hooks

According to data released by several market research firms, the global solar rooftop market maintained strong growth momentum in 2022. Data shows that the global solar rooftop market was valued at approximately USD 59.46 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 241.84 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 15.29% from 2022 to 2031. Against this backdrop, the market demand for various solar rooftop system components has changed significantly, with stainless steel tiled roof hooks gradually becoming a focal point of market attention.

Industry insiders point out that stainless steel tiled roof hooks are favored mainly due to the following four advantages:

Strong adaptability — they can match diverse roof structures across different regions and cultures;

High installation efficiency — simplified design and convenient installation significantly improve overall project efficiency;

Good durability — stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for various climate conditions, and is crucial for the long-term stable operation and return on investment of PV systems;

High compliance — designs meet relevant PV industry standards and specifications, making them the preferred component for professional installers and PV projects.

2. Technological Innovation Intensifies: 2022 Becomes a Big Year for New Product Launches

In 2022, major solar mounting system manufacturers worldwide launched innovative hook products for tiled roofs, with the industry technology roadmap showing diversified development trends.

2.1 Aerocompact: Metal Replacement Tile Hook System Leads Industry Breakthrough

In April 2022, Austrian mounting system supplier Aerocompact launched its innovative CompactPITCH XM-P series roof hook system. The biggest highlight of this system is the combination of roof hooks with metal replacement tiles. The heavy-duty stainless steel bracket can be positioned directly on the rafters along the load direction and withstand snow loads of up to 4.7 kN. The installation process is extremely simple: installers only need to fix the hook through the stainless steel metal tile to the rafter below using two wood screws, and then connect to the X40/X50 mounting rail.

The most significant innovation of this system is that no processing of the tiles is required — installers no longer need to cut or prepare tiles using angle grinders, because Aerocompact offers custom-made stainless steel metal replacement tiles for almost all common tile types on the market. The system is suitable for all batten heights, and users do not need to use different types of roof hooks for different heights.

Additionally, in March of the same year, Aerocompact launched the CompactPITCH XT35-VLOW fast-installation hook designed specifically for Mediterranean roof structures. The product is developed for roofs with low battens, such as Spanish and Portuguese tiles. With a base plate thickness of only 20 mm, installers can complete installation by simply pushing the hook sideways into the base plate rail, significantly saving installation time.

2.2 Schletter Group: Material Optimization and Lightweight Strategy Fully Implemented

In January 2022, Schletter Group, a world-leading solar mounting system manufacturer, showcased its latest material and product solutions at the Intersolar 2022 exhibition in Munich, with the core strategy focusing on less material, equal or higher load capacity, and faster installation.

In the field of tiled roof hooks, Schletter added two new aluminum roof hooks — the lightweight EcoA and RapidA — on the basis of its existing stainless steel and high-strength structural steel roof hooks, providing more options for project optimization and installation cost savings. The company also launched the RapidA 35 roof hook specifically for low batten applications.

Notably, Schletter emphasizes that all roof hooks are compatible with its standard mounting rails and the newly launched ProLine rails through a pre-assembled, rotatable multi-function adapter. The ProLine pitched roof system features a new profile geometry design that achieves higher load capacity while reducing material usage, and the installation requires no tools, greatly saving on-site assembly time and cost.

2.3 Diverse Product Solutions Emerge in European and American Markets

At the Intersolar North America 2022 exhibition, multiple companies showcased innovative mounting solutions for tiled roofs. SunModo launched the TopTile Mount — unlike traditional under-tile hooks and replacement tile methods, this solution drills directly through the tile and uses a three-screw "tripod mount" fixed to the roof deck. Pegasus Solar introduced the Tile Scissor Mount to replace the commonly used L-foot accessory in residential roof installations. By installing aluminum channels along the roof covering, it achieves convenient installation without pulling nails.

In the UK market, REDtip™ launched an innovative hook system designed specifically for the dimensions of British interlocking tiles, greatly reducing on-site adaptation requirements and achieving faster, safer installation.

3. Favorable Policy Environment Continues: County-Wide Promotion Accelerates Rooftop PV Deployment

In 2022, China's distributed PV sector saw a series of major policy benefits, creating broad development space for the tiled roof solar hook market.

3.1 National Policy Level: Significant Results from County-Wide Promotion

In July 2022, the National Energy Administration (NEA) made it clear in its reply to a National People's Congress proposal that distributed PV is "suitable for on-site, local utilization" and "beneficial for intensive land use and local energy utilization," making it a priority direction for future PV development. As of April 2022, China's installed PV capacity had reached 320 GW, of which distributed PV accounted for 120 GW.

The county-wide rooftop distributed PV development pilot program launched in June 2021 continued to advance. A total of 676 pilot counties across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities (including Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps) were included in the pilot scope. By the end of 2021, the cumulative filed capacity of pilot areas exceeded 50 GW, and the cumulative grid-connected capacity surpassed 15 GW. By the end of May 2022, China's distributed PV installed capacity reached 120 GW, accounting for approximately 37% of the country's total PV capacity.

3.2 Local Policy Level: Subsidy Incentives and Mandatory Installation

In 2022, various regions introduced supportive policies for distributed PV. Zhejiang Haiyan County's county-wide PV development pilot work plan clearly stated that for residential rooftop PV projects completed and connected to the grid between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, a one-time investment subsidy of RMB 0.2 per watt will be granted, with a maximum of RMB 2,000 per household. Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, offered a one-time construction subsidy of RMB 0.60 per watt for household distributed PV projects connected to the grid in 2022.

In April 2022, Ningbo City issued "Several Opinions on Vigorously Promoting the Application of Distributed PV Systems on Building Rooftops," which stipulated that starting from May 1, 2022, public buildings, industrial buildings, and residential buildings with a total construction area of not less than 30,000 square meters that newly apply for construction permits shall be equipped with PV power generation systems. The document also set a clear target: by the end of 2025, at least 15% of building rooftops shall be equipped with distributed PV systems, and more than 90% of new buildings shall fully implement distributed PV systems.

3.3 Standards and Specifications: Construction Standards Released

In May 2022, T/ZS 0280-2022 "Construction Specification for Household Rooftop Distributed PV Grid-Connected Power Generation Projects" was officially released and implemented. This standard covers the entire process of on-site survey, design solutions, installation and construction, and commissioning of household PV projects, including technical requirements for "hook and aluminum alloy bracket installation." In October of the same year, T/CECS 1176-2022 "Technical Specification for Adding PV Systems to Existing Building Rooftops" was released, providing comprehensive engineering technical guidance for adding PV systems to existing building rooftops.

4. Competitive Landscape: Multiple Leading Players Compete in the Tiled Roof Market

The competitive landscape of the tiled roof solar hook market in 2022 was multipolar. Aerocompact formed a differentiated advantage in technology with its metal replacement tile hook system. Schletter Group maintained a market-leading position thanks to its material optimization strategy and complete product portfolio. Companies such as SunModo, Pegasus Solar, and Grace Solar launched customized solutions for specific tile types in their respective regional markets.

In terms of product material, stainless steel roof hooks remained the mainstream, but aluminum hooks are gradually gaining market share due to their lightweight and cost advantages. In terms of technology trends, tool-free installation, compatibility across batten heights, and no tile processing became common directions for new product innovations in 2022.