Main Types Of Photovoltaic Mounting Systems
Dec 01, 2025| Based on installation methods, structural characteristics, and applicable scenarios, photovoltaic (PV) mounting systems can be mainly divided into the following categories:
1. Fixed Mounting Systems
This is the most widely used, simplest in structure, and relatively low-cost type of mounting system. Fixed mounting systems are installed at a fixed tilt angle and are not adjusted afterward. This angle is usually determined based on the latitude of the installation site to maximize the total amount of solar radiation reliably received. Fixed mounting systems can be further classified according to their foundation type:
* Ground-mounted Mounting Systems: Commonly used in large-scale ground-mounted PV power plants. They are fixed to the ground using concrete foundations, helical piles, or ballast blocks.
* Rooftop Mounting Systems: Installed on the roofs of industrial plants, commercial buildings, or residential buildings. Special attention needs to be paid to the roof's load-bearing capacity, waterproofing structure, and wind resistance.
2. Adjustable Angle Mounting Systems
This type of mounting system allows for manual adjustment of the tilt angle of the PV modules after installation, based on seasonal changes (e.g., quarterly or monthly), to track changes in the solar altitude angle, thereby obtaining more power generation than fixed mounting systems. Its structure is slightly more complex and the cost is slightly higher than fixed mounting systems, requiring periodic manual operation.
3. Tracking Mounts
A tracking mount is a system that automatically or semi-automatically rotates photovoltaic (PV) modules to follow the sun's position, aiming to ensure sunlight hits the module surface as perpendicularly as possible, significantly improving power generation efficiency. Tracking mounts are mainly divided into:
Horizontal Single-Axis Tracking Mounts: The mount rotates around a horizontal axis (usually north-south), tracking the sun's east-west movement. This structure is relatively simple, effectively increasing power generation, and is widely used in flat, open ground-mounted power plants.
Oblique Single-Axis Tracking Mounts: The rotation axis is at an angle to the horizontal plane, simultaneously tracking the sun's azimuth and altitude angles. It is more efficient than horizontal single-axis mounts, but the structure is more complex.
Dual-Axis Tracking Mounts: The mount can rotate around two axes (altitude and azimuth), achieving precise tracking of the sun's trajectory at all angles. It can significantly improve power generation efficiency, but the system is complex, costly, and requires more maintenance. It is mostly used in high-efficiency power generation applications with excellent solar resources or limited space.