Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-12-11 Origin: Site
In the vast Gobi Desert of Golmud City, Qinghai Province, a team of 50 workers is setting a new record. This 300MW photovoltaic power plant project, originally scheduled to take 45 days for mounting installations, was completed in just 33 days using a new generation of modular mounting systems. This not only saved the owner significant labor costs but also set a new efficiency benchmark for the entire photovoltaic (PV) industry.
"In the past, installing 1MW of mounts took at least 7-10 days; now, it can be done in 3-4 days," said project manager Zhang Ming (a pseudonym). This remarkable efficiency improvement is attributed to groundbreaking advancements in modular mounting design within the PV mounting industry. According to the latest data from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), global PV installations in 2024 are expected to exceed 500GW, a 35% increase over the previous year. This massive market demand is driving the entire industry chain toward higher efficiency and smarter solutions.
Looking back on the development of the PV industry, mounting installation has always been a key bottleneck limiting construction efficiency. Traditional mounting installations are not only time- and labor-intensive but also face challenges such as rising labor costs and inconsistent quality. Statistics indicate that labor costs as a proportion of PV plant construction expenses have risen from 25% five years ago to 35-40% today.
"The most frustrating part is onsite welding and adjustments," said an experienced industry engineer. "Factors like weather and workers' skill levels can impact construction quality, with rework rates sometimes exceeding 8%." These industry pain points have driven the rapid development of modular mounting design.
At the end of 2023, one of the world's largest PV mounting manufacturers unveiled a new generation of modular mounting systems at the Munich Solar Energy Exhibition. This system increased prefabrication levels to over 85%, reduced the number of components by 40-50%, and almost entirely eliminated onsite welding processes. Its innovative clip-in connection design makes the installation process as simple and intuitive as building with blocks.
In terms of material selection, the new mounting system uses high-strength aluminum alloy and carbon fiber composite materials, significantly reducing weight while enhancing structural stability. Experimental data shows that the lifespan of this new mounting system can reach over 30 years, far exceeding the 20-25 years of traditional products.
The advantages of modular design are not limited to hardware but also lie in its deep integration with digital technology. At a 20MW distributed PV project in Jiangsu Province, the construction team employed a BIM-based intelligent construction management system. Using a mobile app, workers could intuitively follow each installation step, while the system automatically recorded construction progress and quality data.
"In the past, we relied on experience to judge bolt tightness. Now, electric torque wrenches precisely control torque and upload data in real-time," explained the onsite construction supervisor. "This not only improves installation quality but also provides reliable data support for subsequent operations and maintenance."
The value of modular design has been fully recognized in the market. For example, in the 300MW Golmud project, although the initial investment in modular mounts was about 8% higher than traditional solutions, the shortened construction period and reduced labor costs ultimately lowered overall construction expenses by 25%. More importantly, the standardized installation process kept construction errors to a minimum, significantly reducing long-term maintenance costs.
With the rapid development of the PV industry, modular mounting designs will continue to evolve. Industry experts predict that innovative technologies like AI-assisted design optimization and robotic automatic installation will emerge in the coming years. Additionally, breakthroughs in new material technologies are expected to further reduce the weight and cost of mounts.
However, some challenges remain in promoting modular mounts. First, higher initial investment costs may pose a barrier for small- to medium-sized projects. Second, construction workers need specialized training to adapt to new installation methods. Furthermore, regional differences in climate conditions and installation requirements present a significant challenge to ensuring modular design adaptability.
Modular design is reshaping the future of PV mounting installation. Through standardized and intelligent innovations, PV plant construction is entering a new era of efficiency. As one industry expert put it, "Modular design is not just a concept but a hallmark of the PV industry's maturation. It brings us closer to achieving grid parity."
Against the backdrop of a global energy transition, the PV industry is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Innovations in modular mounts will undoubtedly inject new momentum into this process. With ongoing technological progress and further cost reductions, we have every reason to believe that the future of clean energy will be even brighter.
