In 2022, driven by the global energy transition and the "dual carbon" goals, the solar roof mounting structure industry entered a critical development period. The continued rise in distributed PV installation demand propelled the evolution of mounting technology from traditional fixed models towards diversified, lightweight, and intelligent directions. Innovative solutions such as flexible mounts and BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) achieved large-scale deployment in commercial and industrial scenarios. This article systematically reviews major industry news, technological breakthroughs, and market trends from 2022, providing a comprehensive reference for industry professionals and investors.

I. Market Overview: Distributed PV Boom Drives Mounting Structure Demand

In 2022, the global solar PV mounting structure market maintained strong growth. Market research data shows that the global solar PV mounting structure market was approximately $21 billion to $24.1 billion in 2022, and is expected to continue expanding at a compound annual growth rate of over 10% through 2030. This growth is mainly driven by accelerating distributed PV installations. On the domestic front (China), new PV installations from January to August 2022 reached 44.47 GW, with full-year expected installations between 85 GW and 100 GW, leading to a concentrated "rush to install" in the fourth quarter.

As an important application form of PV power generation, demand for mounting structures for rooftop distributed PV is particularly strong. As a core component supporting and securing PV modules, the mounting structure's performance directly affects the safety, power generation efficiency, and service life of the power station.

II. Major Domestic News: First Domestic Rooftop Flexible Mounting PV Project Connected to Grid

On July 31, 2022, the country's first rooftop flexible mounting PV project – the 6.00264 MW distributed PV project of Guoneng Shenfu (Jinjiang) Thermal Power, undertaken by Shanghai Electric Power Construction Fujian Company – achieved full-capacity grid connection at the Fengzhu New Textile Factory in the Andong Industrial Park, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province. The project utilizes approximately 47,000 square meters of workshop and dormitory rooftops within the factory area to build a distributed solar PV system, operating under the "self-consumption, surplus power to grid" model.

The biggest technical highlight of this project is the application of flexible mounts. The roof conditions of Workshop 1 and Workshop 2 at the Fengzhu factory were complex. Roof vents 5 to 6 meters high severely shaded the rooftop PV modules, affecting the layout capacity. To solve this, the project team adopted a flexible mounting solution. Steel columns were erected on the concrete roof columns of the textile mill's dyeing workshop, and PV panels were fixed with clamps onto steel strands suspended by tensioned cables, effectively utilizing the large-span ventilation areas of the workshop roof.

After operation, the project generates approximately 6.98 million kWh annually, saving about 2,291.67 tons of standard coal per year, reducing dust emissions by about 1,900.41 tons, and reducing CO2 emissions by about 6,965.84 tons.

Technical Advantages of Flexible Mounts

Compared to traditional fixed mounts, flexible mounting systems offer significant advantages: large and adjustable spans – in the same land area, the PV module capacity of flexible mounts is about three times that of fixed mounts; reduced steel usage and lower load; flexible layout, good ventilation, and higher power generation efficiency; good crack resistance. Data shows that with the flexible mounting solution, 11,116 PV modules could be installed, an increase of 7,359 modules compared to traditional solutions, increasing installed capacity by nearly 4.3 MWp and annual power generation by 5.17 million kWh.

The successful grid connection of this project marks the commercial validation of flexible mounting technology for rooftop PV scenarios in China, providing a replicable technical path for future complex rooftop PV projects. Industry insiders point out that the flexible, adjustable, and space-saving characteristics of flexible mounts give them broad application prospects in complex terrains such as tidal flats, fish ponds, wastewater treatment plants, complex mountainous areas, and barren slopes.

III. International Product Innovation: Green Roofs and Efficient Installation Become Mainstream

AEROCOMPACT Launches Bifacial Module Mounting System

In September 2022, Austrian PV mounting manufacturer AEROCOMPACT launched the CompactFLAT GS, a flat roof mounting system designed for bifacial PV modules and green roofs. The system raises modules by about 40 cm, effectively utilizing light reflection from the roof surface. Independent lab tests confirmed that bifacial modules can increase power generation by up to 20%. The system features an aerodynamic design, requires few components and no long rails, enables fast and easy installation, and comes with a 25-year warranty. AEROCOMPACT officially showcased the system at RE+, North America's largest clean energy industry exhibition, from September 19-22.

Novotegra Green Roof Mount Wins iF Design Award

In July 2022, German PV mounting manufacturer Novotegra's green roof PV mounting system won the iF Design Award 2022 in the "Building Technology" category. The system uses a high-mount design made of recycled plastic, keeping PV modules at a sufficient distance from the roof surface to prevent shading by the green roof. The honeycomb base plates use a checkerboard overlapping installation that requires no measuring, enabling quick assembly, and the reduced number of components simplifies warehousing and logistics.

S-5! Adds 14 New Patents in One Year

In 2022, S-5!, a global leader in metal roof accessories, announced 14 new patents added within one year on its 30th anniversary, bringing its total patent portfolio to 112. New patents include the S-5-ZH™ Mini clamp designed for standing seam metal roofs and a railless direct-attach solar mounting solution used with the PVKIT® system. Other patents cover Australia, China, various European countries, and the US. S-5! founder Rob Haddock said, "Our credo is 'Innovate, improve, innovate again'," emphasizing that the company has established industry benchmarks for roof attachment testing and performance standards.

SunModo Receives Miami-Dade County Approval for Direct-Attach Roof Mount

In July 2022, SunModo announced that its direct-attach roof mounting solution received approval certification from Miami-Dade County, USA – the highest level of safety certification for roof structural components in that region.

Schletter Group Launches Material-Optimized Mounting Systems

In April 2022, the Schletter Group launched several innovative products at Intersolar 2022 in Munich, Germany, focusing on three key directions: reducing material usage, increasing load-bearing capacity, and shortening installation time. The ProLine pitched roof system uses a new cross-section geometry design, significantly reducing material usage compared to previous standard profiles, and can be installed without tools using a single internal connector. The FixGrid Pro flat roof system saves up to 10% of ballast weight through optimized aerodynamic design. Schletter also introduced a new tracker system for large-format modules, reducing weight by about 30% and withstanding wind speeds exceeding 200 km/h.

IV. BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) Development Accelerates

In 2022, BIPV technology achieved important breakthroughs, with multiple companies launching innovative products to promote the deep integration of "PV + building."

Antaisolar Launches "Taiyang Ding" BIPV Product

On June 29, 2022, Antaisolar officially launched its new BIPV product "Taiyang Ding" (Sun Top) at an online launch event. The product aims to promote zero-carbon building transformation, addressing pain points in industrial and commercial rooftop PV such as poor safety, difficult maintenance, and low durability.

Key highlights of "Taiyang Ding" include: 100% waterproof effect – waterproof components both prevent leakage and protect the building; three-step installation (place, press, clip) – maintenance is preventive, lightweight, and customized; high-performance aluminum alloy material – performance exceeds Chinese national standards by 20%, with light weight and high strength. The product has a service life of up to 50 years, matching the building's lifespan, reduces system costs by 20%, and increases efficiency by 50%.

Oriental Yuhong Introduces SWIFT Lightweight Integrated Flexible Roof PV System

In October 2022, Oriental Yuhong announced that its SWIFT lightweight integrated flexible roof system, developed in collaboration with Wasda, had achieved good application results in engineering projects. The system uses TPO membrane and profiled steel sheets as the surface layer, combined with special rock wool core material, prefabricating the waterproofing, insulation, and steel substrate layers – traditionally separate in building envelope systems – into a single factory-made unit.

The system's outstanding features are "lightweight" and "fast": using special-process rock wool and galvanized steel sheets reduces roof system load; installation requires only three steps (positioning panels, fixing steel sheets, welding membrane), completing the roof in one go and significantly shortening construction time. The system can accommodate lightweight PV bases, with secure connection between PV bases and steel sheets while ensuring waterproofing at connection points, supporting long-term stable operation of rooftop PV power stations.

Kseng BIPV Solution Deployed at Nanjing Steel Project

In September 2022, Kseng adopted a BIPV integrated photovoltaic mounting solution for the damaged industrial roof of Nanjing Steel, initiating a 3.5 MW industrial roof renovation project. Given the acidic and alkaline emissions from the steel plant, the BIPV products used high-quality aluminum alloy with stable corrosion resistance. The lightweight products and modular installation facilitated later operation and maintenance, effectively extending the roof life and power generation revenue period of the Nanjing Steel project to 25 years.

Risen Energy Proposes BIPV Upgrade Concept

In November 2022, Risen Energy proposed an upgraded BIPV concept, emphasizing system integration from design to construction. Early rooftop PV often involved concrete pouring or mounting modules on rails with clamps; BIPV integrates PV and building systems with simultaneous design, construction, and installation. Custom PV modules are directly connected to the underlying profiled steel sheets using specialized clamps, eliminating the need for excess rails or supports, achieving a highly integrated system.

V. Mounting Material and Anti-Corrosion Technology Upgrades

In 2022, material selection and anti-corrosion technology for solar PV mounts continued to optimize. Main approaches included hot-dip galvanized steel, anodized aluminum alloy, and emerging galvanized aluminum-magnesium alloy.

Aluminum alloy mounts form a dense oxide film on the surface in atmospheric conditions, offering excellent corrosion resistance. The corrosion rate decreases over time. The surface is anodized with an average thickness of no less than 1.2 mm, controlled to AA15 level. Aluminum profiles are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, suitable for residential rooftop projects with load limitations and strongly corrosive environments.

Carbon steel PV mounts are hot-dip galvanized, with a zinc coating thickness of no less than 65 μm to 80 μm. Under normal conditions, 80 μm of galvanization ensures a service life of over 20 years. However, corrosion accelerates in high-humidity industrial zones or high-salinity coastal areas, requiring thicker coatings and regular maintenance. Steel offers high strength and low deflection deformation, suitable for high-wind regions and large-span applications.

Galvanized aluminum-magnesium alloy solar PV mounts emerged as a new solution, using alloy metal sheet with main components including zinc, aluminum, and magnesium. The added alloying elements provide self-healing cut edges, surface resistance to chlorine, alkali, abrasion, and corrosion. This enables better performance in harsh environments such as deserts, tidal flats, and saline-alkali land, while remaining cost-effective.

On recycling, steel structures see a 3% annual increase in maintenance costs, while aluminum PV mounts require almost no maintenance. Aluminum retains 65% recyclability after 30 years.

VI. Policy Drivers: Standardized Development of Distributed PV Mounts

In 2022, the national government and local authorities issued numerous policies related to distributed PV, promoting the standardization and regulation of roof mounting structures.

The National Energy Administration issued the "Administrative Measures for Photovoltaic Power Station Development and Construction" in December 2022, clarifying requirements for distributed PV power generation management and establishing a filing and card system for PV stations, including information such as project name, location, installed capacity, and grid connection date.

At the local level, many regions issued detailed management regulations. The "Interim Management Measures for Distributed PV Power Generation Construction in Zhongshan City" clarified that project facilities include PV modules, inverters, electrical boxes, lightning protection grounding bars, and steel structure mounts, and specified that brick-and-concrete mounting structures or equipment rooms erected arbitrarily on roofs are not considered PV project facilities. Sanya City issued management measures for distributed PV projects, specifying access requirements for projects of different scales.

On construction standards, the "Construction Specification for Household Rooftop Distributed PV Grid-Connected Power Generation Projects" sets out construction standards for household PV systems connected at 220V/380V. Suzhou High-Tech Zone requires newly constructed industrial buildings with roof areas over 3,000 square meters to simultaneously design and build PV power generation facilities, and encourages buildings over 1,000 square meters to do so as well.