1. Global PV installation surges, releasing full clamp market demand

The solar PV industry in 2023 showed a clear “demand spike” pattern. China dominated during the year, installing 277 GW of solar capacity, surpassing the combined total of Europe (59.8 GW) and the US (33.9 GW), reaching an unprecedented level of global PV development concentration. Both the rooftop PV market and utility-scale PV market saw significant growth in 2023, with about 45% of new capacity coming from rooftop PV systems – the global rooftop PV market has steadily expanded since 2018.

With the accelerated global construction of PV power plants, demand for PV mounting systems has risen sharply. As the key connectors between PV modules and mounting rails, mid clamps and end clamps have experienced rapidly released market demand. According to market research data, the global end clamp kit market was approximately US$1.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$2.1 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 7.9% from 2024 to 2030. Although mid clamps and end clamps are “small parts” within PV mounting accessories, they play a crucial role in installation stability, module safety, and system service life, making them indispensable basic fasteners for PV projects from design to construction.

2. Product overview and classification of mid clamps and end clamps

Solar PV mid clamps and end clamps are connecting pieces between PV modules and mounting rails, primarily used to fix PV modules onto the rails of the mounting system. Based on installation position and function, they are divided into two main categories:

1. Mid Clamp

Mid clamps are used to fix adjacent frames of two neighboring PV modules, installed at interior positions of the PV module array. Their main function is to lock two PV modules simultaneously onto the rail, ensuring uniform spacing between modules while providing sufficient clamping force to resist wind and snow loads. In 2023, mainstream mid clamps on the market were mainly made of aluminum alloy 6005-T5, available in various frame thickness adaptations including 20mm, 30mm, 33mm, 35mm, and 40mm. Some products achieved wind load resistance up to 60 m/s, with a design service life of 25 years.

2. End Clamp

End clamps are used to fix the outer frame of the outermost module in a PV array, installed at the end positions of the array. End clamps need not only sufficient clamping force to hold the module but also good edge coverage and anti-loosening design. In 2023, mainstream end clamps were primarily made of high-strength aluminum alloy (e.g., 6063 T5 or 6061 T6) and stainless steel SUS304. Some products use anodized anti-corrosion treatment, achieving a service life of over 20 years in saline corrosive environments.

3. Product technology upgrades and innovation trends in 2023

In the 2023 PV mounting accessories market, the design and manufacturing processes of mid clamps and end clamps showed the following notable trends:

1. Material upgrade: high-strength aluminum alloy becomes mainstream

By 2023, aluminum alloy had become the mainstream material choice for PV mid clamps and end clamps. Compared to traditional steel, aluminum alloy clamps offer significant advantages such as light weight, high strength, and strong corrosion resistance. High-quality aluminum alloys (e.g., 6005-T5, 6061-T6) processed by extrusion can effectively extend the overall service life of PV mounting systems. Leading domestic companies such as Shandong Chengyunda Aluminum achieved an annual output of 68 million sets of aluminum alloy wind-resistant clamps in 2023, fully demonstrating the large-scale production capacity of aluminum alloy clamps.

2. Tool-free / no-drilling installation: improving construction efficiency

In 2023, clamp product designs focused more on ease of installation. No-drilling clamp systems became a popular choice for commercial & industrial rooftop PV installations. Such clamps can be fixed without drilling holes in the roof, saving about 30% of installation time and effectively reducing labor costs. Clenergy’s “Easy” SolarRoof Aeri PV mounting solution, using specially designed clamps, press blocks, and rails, enables fast and flexible module installation in both portrait and landscape orientations. Focusing on cost and efficiency, it effectively addresses industry pain points such as slow construction schedules, labor shortages, and high labor costs.

3. Optimized anti-corrosion treatment technology

Because PV power plants are mostly located in outdoor environments, the anti-corrosion performance of mid clamps and end clamps directly affects the long-term stability of the PV system. In 2023, anodized surface treatment became the industry standard, offering a 10-year warranty and a design service life of over 25 years. Some high-end products used stainless steel SUS304 and galvanized aluminum-magnesium-zinc coated steel, providing good self-healing at cut edges and eliminating the need for additional post-cutting corrosion treatment.

4. Significantly improved wind and seismic resistance

As PV plant construction expanded into extreme climate regions, greater attention was paid to the wind and seismic performance of mid clamps and end clamps. In 2023, leading companies’ clamp products achieved wind load resistance designs up to 45–60 m/s. For example, Mibet’s simple steel tile clamps used in a 7.59 MW rooftop PV project in Japan were designed to withstand a snow load of 150 cm and a wind load of 45 m/s, fully demonstrating the technological progress in clamp product adaptability to extreme weather conditions in 2023.

4. Typical project application cases in 2023

In 2023, multiple large-scale PV projects at home and abroad adopted advanced mid clamp and end clamp products. Typical application cases include:

Case 1: Mibet Japan 7.59 MW rooftop PV project

In August 2023, Mibet’s 7.59 MW rooftop PV project in Japan was successfully completed. The project sites were distributed across multiple cities including Ibaraki, Yamanashi, and Miyagi prefectures. Mibet supplied rooftop mounts, clamps, and design services for several factories in the project. The simple steel tile clamps used in the project achieve one-step positioning and limit installation, preventing loosening and module detachment. The installation is simple and convenient, reducing installation labor hours and saving construction and manpower costs. For chain drugstore projects with standing seam metal roofs, installation time was reduced by approximately 50%, saving significant labor costs.

Case 2: Vietnam Xining Luthai 10 MW rooftop PV EPC project

In April 2023, the Vietnam Xining Luthai 10 MW rooftop PV EPC project successfully completed installation of all factory roof rails and clamps. Despite multiple challenges including frequent design drawing changes, inconsistent construction specifications, and constraints of working inside a textile factory, the project achieved high-quality installation of clamps and rails, laying a solid foundation for subsequent grid connection and power generation.

Case 3: Rixin Technology’s patented mounting clamp for metal roof PV installations

In October 2023, NEEQ-listed company Rixin Technology (835679) added a new utility model patent titled “A mounting clamp and mounting structure for PV modules on metal roofs”. This mounting clamp has a simple structure, light weight, and is easy to assemble and disassemble. It can directly fix frameless PV modules onto metal roofs without the need for module purlins, adding little additional load to the original structure. Moreover, there is sufficient ventilation space under the PV modules, providing higher safety. This represents a local innovation achievement in China’s PV clamp field in 2023.

5. Standard system development driving industry progress

In 2023, China released a series of important technical standards for PV clamps and PV mounting systems, providing standardized guidance for product design, manufacturing, and engineering application of mid clamps and end clamps:

T/CCIAT 0059-2023 “Technical specification for PV installation engineering on metal roofs” : Issued by the China Construction Industry Association, published in October 2023. The standard covers complete content including mounting connection design, clamp connections, PV module mounting joint details, fabrication, installation construction, and project acceptance, providing a systematic technical specification for clamp use in metal roof PV installations.

T/CIET 203-2023 “Technical requirements for aluminum frames for PV solar modules” : Effective August 2023, specifying substrate technical requirements, processing quality requirements, and inspection methods for aluminum frames for PV solar modules, indirectly defining dimensional compatibility requirements for mid clamps and end clamps that directly interface with aluminum frames.