Types of Photovoltaic (PV) Mounting Systems And Their Advantages, Disadvantages, And Applications

Fixed Mounting System

• Advantages:

• Simple structure, low cost, and easy installation.

• High stability, capable of withstanding significant wind and snow loads.

• Suitable for regions with stable sunlight and appropriate orientation.

• Disadvantages:

• Cannot adjust the angle based on the sun’s position, limiting the ability to fully utilize solar radiation at different times.

• Lower energy generation efficiency compared to adjustable systems.

• Applications:

• Suitable for large-scale centralized PV power plants.

• Applicable for distributed PV systems where energy efficiency requirements are lower, the installation site is flat and open, and sunlight direction is relatively fixed.

Adjustable Mounting System

1. Manual Adjustable Mounting System

• Suitable for small distributed PV systems, such as residential rooftop PV stations and small commercial buildings.

• Users can manually adjust angles periodically to achieve better energy production.

• Requires manual operation with limited adjustment precision.

• Frequent adjustments may increase labor costs and maintenance workload.

• Allows periodic manual adjustment of PV panel angles according to seasonal or daily changes in the sun’s altitude and azimuth, improving energy generation efficiency.

• Relatively low cost.

• Advantages:

• Disadvantages:

• Applications:

2. Automatic Tracking Mounting System

• Widely used in large-scale PV plants with high energy efficiency requirements.

• Suitable for areas with complex sunlight conditions or limited land resources, where maximum energy generation is necessary within a constrained area.

• Complex structure and higher cost.

• Requires motors, sensors, and controllers, which increase system complexity and maintenance costs.

• Automatically adjusts the PV panels’ angles in real-time to track the sun’s position, maximizing energy generation by maintaining perpendicular exposure to sunlight.

• Ideal for regions with abundant sunlight but significant solar angle variations.

• Advantages:

• Disadvantages:

• Applications:

Flexible Mounting System

• Advantages:

• Uses flexible materials like high-strength steel cables or ropes for the main support structure.

• Lightweight, large span, and adaptable installation.

• Suitable for varied terrains and complex environments, reducing land occupation and minimizing damage to existing buildings.

• Disadvantages:

• Relatively weaker wind and snow load resistance.

• Requires careful structural design and additional wind/snow protection measures.

• Specialized installation processes for PV panels increase complexity.

• Applications:

• Ideal for mountainous and hilly terrains.

• Suitable for existing buildings’ rooftops, parking lots, and other constrained spaces unsuitable for traditional mounting systems.

Floating Mounting System

• Advantages:

• PV panels are installed on floating structures on water, preserving valuable land resources.

• Water provides a cooling effect, improving energy generation efficiency.

• Reflective light from the water surface increases sunlight exposure, further boosting energy output.

• Disadvantages:

• Requires solutions for floating structure stability, anchoring, waterproofing, and corrosion resistance.

• Installation depends on water conditions such as quality, depth, and flow, with higher construction and maintenance costs.

• Applications:

• Suitable for large water bodies like lakes, reservoirs, and fish ponds with good sunlight conditions.

• Facilitates efficient land use and integration of PV power generation with aquaculture and other industries.

Carport Mounting System

• Advantages:

• Combines PV panels with carport roofs, providing shade and rain protection for vehicles.

• Utilizes carport roof space for energy generation, integrating PV power with parking facilities.

• Enhances land and space utilization, offering economic and social benefits.

• Disadvantages:

• Must consider the carport’s structural load-bearing capacity to support PV panels and vehicle weight.

• Design and layout must meet vehicle passage and parking requirements, imposing constraints on height, span, and other parameters.

• Applications:

• Commonly used in urban parking lots, industrial parks, and commercial centers.

• Provides green and clean energy while meeting parking needs.

Each mounting system offers specific advantages tailored to distinct environments, energy requirements, and structural conditions, ensuring optimal performance in varied scenarios.