Materials Used in Photovoltaic Support Systems

The choice of support system materials directly affects its strength, corrosion resistance, service life, and overall cost. Currently, the mainstream materials include:

1. Steel
* Hot-dip galvanized steel: This is the most commonly used photovoltaic support system material. By plating a layer of zinc on the steel surface, it provides excellent rust and corrosion resistance, enabling it to adapt to harsh outdoor environments, offering a long service life and high cost-effectiveness.

* Aluminum alloy: It has advantages such as light weight, corrosion resistance, ease of processing and installation, and aesthetic appearance. It is often used in rooftop power stations with lower load-bearing requirements, or in highly corrosive environments such as coastal areas. However, its strength and stiffness are generally lower than steel, and its cost is relatively higher.

2. Concrete

Mainly used for the fixed foundations of large ground-mounted power stations, such as precast concrete piles or cast-in-place foundations, providing strong stability and compressive strength.

3. Composite Materials

Some new composite materials, such as glass fiber reinforced plastics, are also being explored for use in support system components. They have characteristics such as light weight, corrosion resistance, and good insulation, but currently, their cost is high, and their application is not yet widespread.