Against the backdrop of accelerating global energy transition, the photovoltaic (PV) industry continued its high prosperity in 2023. As a critical auxiliary component in PV system installation, solar panel clamps achieved dual breakthroughs in technology and market. From lightweight materials to installation efficiency revolutions, from dense patent layouts to the intensive release of industry standards, the solar panel clamp industry in 2023 presented a trend of multi-faceted development and comprehensive acceleration.

I. Market Size: Auxiliary Materials Shine in Exports

According to data from market research firm Verified Market Reports, the global end-clamp kit market was valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7.9% from 2024 to 2030. Meanwhile, the global solar mounting system market was valued at around $13.368 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $24.027 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 7.65%.

In the Chinese market, the size of the solar mounting structure market had grown to RMB 19 billion in 2022, an increase of 8.6% year-on-year, and was expected to reach RMB 21 billion in 2023. It is worth noting that in 2023, the PV industry chain experienced a period of continuous price declines in the main industry chain and entered an extreme low adjustment period. However, auxiliary materials and export-oriented segments performed relatively well.

In terms of overseas orders, Chinese companies continued to make significant progress. In May 2023, Haida Rubber & Plastic Co., Ltd. stated that the company had developed multiple PV accessories, including clamps and short-frame buckles, which had received overseas orders. The company actively expanded in the new energy sector and developed a new combined frame series in the PV field. Zhenjiang Shares achieved full-year operating revenue of RMB 3.842 billion in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 32.28%, with overseas revenue reaching RMB 2.494 billion. Its U.S. factory has achieved批量 shipment.

II. Technological Innovation: Dense Patents, Efficiency Revolution

In 2023, technological innovation in the solar panel clamp field exploded, with major enterprises competing fiercely in three directions: installation efficiency, stability, and material reduction.

Leading companies accelerated patent layouts. On December 28, 2023, according to an announcement from the National Intellectual Property Administration, Trina Solar obtained a patent titled "Mounting part for photovoltaic module and photovoltaic bracket." The patent features a damping element in the mounting part to buffer external forces applied to the PV module, eliminating vibration and thus preventing the frame of the PV module from tearing due to external forces. Previously, in December 2023, Trina Solar had also obtained a patent for "Connection structure of photovoltaic system and frame of photovoltaic module," which features simple installation steps and convenient operation.

On November 24, 2023, Canadian Solar received a utility model patent for "Installation clamp for photovoltaic module and photovoltaic power generation system." The installation clamp features a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm that are rotatably connected to achieve adjustable opening angles, and a limiting member that can limit the clamping member at multiple positions, effectively improving installation efficiency and reducing the risk of internal stress damage to the clamp. Since 2023, Canadian Solar has obtained 147 new patent authorizations, with R&D investment in the first half of the year reaching RMB 279 million, a year-on-year increase of 39.27%.

On November 29, 2023, LONGi Green Energy obtained a patent for "Connecting piece, flexible bracket, and photovoltaic system." The connecting piece accommodates a flexible cable in the fixing groove of a hoop portion, and the card slot of the connecting portion cooperates with the frame to achieve pre-fixing, which not only improves the stability of the PV module on the flexible bracket but also prevents the connecting piece from falling off during assembly, reducing safety hazards and improving assembly efficiency.

Overseas enterprises also had many highlights. S-5!, a leading American manufacturer of metal roof PV accessories, obtained 21 new patents in 2023 alone, bringing its total patent count to 133. The most notable among them was its new Bonding Clip patent (Patent No. 11,808,043), which is used to connect and ground metal roof panels, providing safety assurance when the roof is energized. S-5!'s zero-penetration clamps and brackets have been installed on more than 2.5 million metal roofs worldwide, covering over 6 GW of PV projects in more than 70 countries.

Installation efficiency revolution became another major focus. In August 2023, American company Pegasus Solar launched its SkipRail clamp system. This innovative product can completely eliminate entire rows of rails, brackets, clamps, and roof penetrations from most residential roof PV installations. It is estimated that each installation team can save approximately 11,000 feet of rail, 1,500 roof penetrations, and 5 tons of material per year. The SkipRail system has a rated wind resistance of up to 160 miles per hour and a snow load capacity of 40 pounds per square foot.

Chinese companies also made important breakthroughs in the field of clamps for color-coated steel sheet roofs. On October 13, 2023, RISEN Energy, a company listed on the NEEQ Innovation Layer, obtained a patent for "Installation clamp and installation structure for photovoltaic module on color steel tile roof." The installation clamp has a simple structure and light weight, allowing frameless PV modules to be directly fixed to the color steel tile roof without the need for module purlins, adding little load to the original structure. Moreover, there is sufficient ventilation space under the PV module, providing higher safety.

III. Policies and Standards: Norms Drive High-Quality Development

In 2023, the standard system for solar mounting structures and clamps in China accelerated its improvement, providing important support for high-quality industry development.

Accelerated construction of national-level standards. On April 21, 2023, the State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments issued the "Guidelines for the Construction of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Standard System," which clearly stated that the PV power generation sector should focus on developing technical standards for solar resource monitoring, evaluation, and radiation forecasting, as well as technical requirements for high-efficiency PV cells, modules, key materials, electrical components, and key products for support structures.

Intensive release of industry technical specifications. On February 6, 2023, the National Energy Administration issued NB/T 11079-2023, "Technical specification for testing of tracking system and support for photovoltaic power station." This standard came into effect on August 6, 2023, specifying the general principles, testing equipment, structural inspection, grounding resistance and insulation resistance testing, and requirements and methods for tracking system inspection and testing.

On June 1, 2023, the China Electric Power Planning & Engineering Association issued T/CEPPEA 5017-2023, "Technical regulation for large-span cable-supported photovoltaic support structure," which came into effect on September 1, 2023. It specifies the applicable scenarios, material selection, loads and load combinations, structural design analysis, connection and joint design, fabrication and installation, quality acceptance, and operation and maintenance requirements for large-span cable-supported PV support structures.

On December 29, 2023, the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering issued T/CSEE 0394-2023, "Specification for design of flexible photovoltaic support structure," which came into effect on March 29, 2024. It specifies the design principles and technical requirements for flexible PV support structures, as well as the basic requirements for construction and maintenance from a structural design perspective.

In September 2023, the mandatory national code "Code for Engineering of Solar Power Generation Projects (Draft for Comments)" was released for public comment. It clearly states that the design working life of the supports and foundations for ground-mounted PV modules, tower heliostats, parabolic trough collectors, linear Fresnel collectors, and secondary reflection towers should not be less than 25 years. This requirement will have a profound impact on the durability design of PV clamps.

IV. Exhibition Highlights: SNEC 2023 Becomes a Showcase for Clamp Innovation

From May 24 to 26, 2023, the SNEC 16th (2023) International Solar Photovoltaic and Smart Energy Exhibition was grandly held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. As a barometer and weather vane for the global PV industry, the exhibition attracted more than 3,000 companies from 95 countries and regions worldwide.

At the exhibition, various PV clamps and mounting structure products became one of the highlights. Trina Solar showcased its TrinaTracker fast-assembly solution, which uses Trina clamps and split spherical bearings. Compared with traditional cylindrical bearings and purlin solutions, it can save 20% of manual installation time.

Mibet Energy exhibited multiple color steel tile clamp products, including a TPO roof solution developed for flexible TPO roofs. The solution uses self-tapping screws to penetrate the waterproof layer and fix it to the color steel tile substrate, and uses a sealing insert with extremely high sealing performance to fit the TPO roof, effectively eliminating the risk of roof water seepage caused by installation.

GS-Solar launched the Nengshe-BAPV system roof mounting solution, covering clamps, hooks, adjustable feet, triangular brackets, and other products, with exclusive optimized designs that fully consider the characteristics and safety of local Korean roof buildings. Powerway Renewable Energy showcased its commercial and industrial PV mounting solution, with flexible and simple roof clamps that can fully utilize existing color steel tile roofs, making installation efficient and compact, and greatly increasing installed capacity.

V. Global Expansion: Accelerated Overseas Market Development

In 2023, the global market layout of Chinese PV clamp companies further deepened. In April, GS-Solar participated in the 20th International Green Energy Exhibition in South Korea, launching PV mounting products suitable for the local Korean market and reaching a preliminary strategic goal with local Korean customers who have cooperated for many years to jointly explore the Korean PV market in the future.

Haida Rubber & Plastic Co., Ltd. stated that Chinese PV products are among the current "new three major export items." The company has developed multiple PV accessories, including clamps and short-frame buckles, which have received overseas orders. At the Shanghai PV exhibition, the new combined frame series products received widespread attention and praise from industry insiders.

Antai Technology provides PV fixed and tracking brackets to more than 60 countries and regions worldwide, with a cumulative global shipment of over 25.4 GW. Zhenjiang Shares, with localized production capacity driving performance growth, serves leading tracking system companies such as GCS and ATI at its U.S. factory, benefiting from the subsidy policies of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).