Introduction

In 2022, driven by the global “carbon neutrality” strategy, the photovoltaic (PV) industry entered a new phase of rapid growth. As the “skeleton” of a PV power generation system, mounting brackets directly impact the safety, stability, and power generation efficiency of the entire system. Among all types, tile roof mounting brackets have become one of the most innovation‑active segments due to their central role in residential distributed PV. This article systematically reviews major news, technological advances, product launches, and policy developments in the field of tile roof PV mounting brackets in 2022, providing a comprehensive information reference for industry practitioners.

I. Technological Breakthroughs in Tile Roof Brackets: From Traditional Installation to Diverse Innovations

1. Flexible Brackets Break Application Boundaries

In August 2022, China’s first rooftop flexible‑bracket PV project – the 6 MW Fengzhu Textile distributed PV project invested by National Energy Group Fujian Jinjiang Thermal Power Co., Ltd. – was successfully connected to the grid. The project used a flexible bracket layout, adding 7,359 PV modules on the same roof area and increasing installed capacity by nearly 4.3 MW, with an estimated annual generation increase of 5.17 million kWh, maximizing land use efficiency.

Compared with traditional fixed brackets, the flexible bracket system offers significant advantages: large span, flexible layout, higher power generation efficiency, lower steel consumption, and lighter load. On the same land area with large spans, the module capacity of flexible brackets is about three times that of fixed brackets. Flexible brackets perform excellently not only on tile roofs but also on complex terrains such as tidal flats, fish ponds, wastewater treatment plants, and mountainous areas, demonstrating broad application prospects.

2. “No‑Tile‑Removal” Process Provides a Cost‑Effective Path

In early 2022, Zhejiang Province’s first “no‑tile‑removal” BIPV (Building‑Integrated Photovoltaic) project was completed on the roof of Wanbang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. The project, innovatively developed by Zhoushan Power Supply Company, used L‑shaped brackets and self‑tapping screws to penetrate color‑coated steel tiles, securely connecting the PV module brackets to the roof steel structure.

Traditional rooftop PV installation requires concrete blocks to fix the PV brackets, adding about 400 kg of weight per 10 square meters on average, which places high demands on the roof’s load‑bearing capacity. The “no‑tile‑removal” process not only significantly reduces the roof load but also saves the cost of removing color‑coated steel tiles, cutting installation costs for rooftop PV projects by nearly 30% on average and increasing usable roof area by over 70%. For just four projects (Donghai Bank, Changhong International, Wanbang Shipbuilding, and Zhouqi Group), this technology helped enterprises save more than RMB 100 million in investment.

3. Composite Material Bracket Technology Emerges

In May 2022, a patent for a composite material solar mounting bracket system and its manufacturing method was published. The invention replaces galvanized steel bracket systems with composite material brackets, offering longer service life, lighter weight, and better corrosion resistance, aligning with future trends in PV bracket development.

4. Dual‑Angle Adjustment Patent Approved

On April 26, 2022, NEEQ‑listed company Mountain Technology obtained a utility model patent for a “dual‑angle adjustable solar mounting bracket.” The patent uses a rotation‑adjustment assembly and a tilt‑adjustment assembly to simultaneously adjust both the orientation and tilt angle of solar panels, greatly improving the bracket’s practicality and adaptability.

II. Intensive International New Product Launches: Diverse Tile Roof Bracket Solutions

1. Intersolar 2022: A Global Stage for Bracket Innovation

At Intersolar North America 2022, innovations in tile roof PV mounting brackets were a highlight.

SunModo launched the TopTile Mount, which uses a drill‑through tile installation method. A three‑screw “tripod” fixation, along with foam seals and malleable metal flashing, ensures waterproof sealing, providing a third option for tile roof installations.

Pegasus Solar introduced the Tile Scissor Mount, which replaces traditional L‑shaped feet. The product consists of two interlocking aluminum pieces mounted via aluminum rails, completely eliminating the need for through‑bolts at each fixing point.

2. Aerocompact Launches Revolutionary Hook System

In April 2022, Austrian racking supplier Aerocompact released the new COMPACTPITCH XM‑P series roof hook system. The product integrates a roof hook and a replacement sheet metal tile into one unit. Made of heavy‑duty stainless steel, it can be positioned directly onto purlins along the load direction and withstands snow loads up to 4.7 kN.

The key advantage is that no tile cutting is required during installation – Aerocompact provides stainless steel replacement tiles for virtually all standard roof tiles on the market, perfectly fitting adjacent tiles and greatly improving installation efficiency. The system is compatible with X40/X50 mounting rails, comes with a 25‑year warranty, and has CE certification.

3. PV‑ezRack Introduces Universal Tile Roof System

In May 2022, Clenergy launched the PV‑ezRack SolarRoof universal tile roof mounting system, designed for residential and commercial tile roof applications. The system uses an innovative Z‑module technology for fast and easy installation.

4. Germany Develops Integrable PV Tile System

In October 2022, a flexible tile PV system that can be integrated with existing roof tiles was developed in Germany. This roof solution is offered under the Creaton “Solar World” brand and includes both roof‑integrated and roof‑added PV system options.

5. Aluminum Alloy Tile Roof Bracket Solution

In April 2022, Jiangyin Boheng New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. launched a PV bracket product for asphalt‑shingle roofs. The main body is made of 6005‑T5 aluminum alloy, which is lighter than traditional steel brackets and easier to transport and install. The complete system combines aluminum alloy rails, stainless steel large hooks, and aluminum alloy clamps, gaining wide market recognition.

III. Chinese Market: Distributed PV Boom Drives Bracket Demand

In August 2022, the Zhengxin Enterprise distributed PV project, for which Mibet provided the PV bracket system, was successfully connected to the grid in Xiamen and Zhangzhou, Fujian Province. The project has a total installed capacity exceeding 30 MW, making it the largest single distributed PV project in Fujian Province, providing an estimated 41.1 million kWh of electricity annually for the enterprises.

The project integrated several rooftop PV systems, using matching clamps for different roof types such as trapezoidal, standing seam, and corrugated color‑coated steel tiles, with pull‑out resistance exceeding 1,500 N. For concrete roofs, Mibet’s self‑developed matrix ballasted PV system was used.

Around the same time, on June 25, 2022, Meide Yongchang Group held a new product launch for PV brackets, receiving large orders immediately after launch. The company expanded from stainless steel piping into the PV bracket field, offering products in aluminum alloy, carbon steel, and stainless steel. The carbon steel products are hot‑dip galvanized for outdoor use, ensuring no rust for 30 years.

Antai New Energy launched a new BIPV product called “Taiyang Ding” in July 2022. With a service life of up to 50 years – comparable to building lifespan – it became an important option for building‑integrated PV solutions.

IV. Market Size: Rooftop PV Brackets Surge in 2022

According to market research data, the global solar PV mounting bracket market was valued at approximately US$13.368 billion in 2022, with rooftop installations accounting for 50‑55% of the market share, making it the dominant segment. Rooftop mounting systems are widely popular in residential and commercial sectors due to their ease of installation, relatively low investment cost, and service life of about 20 years.

China’s PV bracket industry saw rapid growth in 2022. According to China Commercial Industry Research Institute, the market size for PV brackets in China reached an estimated RMB 19 billion. In terms of demand, the industry’s market demand was 65.16 GW in 2022, up 13.96% year‑on‑year. Driven by the nationwide “county‑level whole‑district promotion” policy for distributed PV, residential PV became a key growth engine, further boosting demand for tile roof brackets.