Although the cost of photovoltaic (PV) mounting systems accounts for a small proportion of the total cost of the entire PV power generation system (only a few percent), their selection is crucial. One of the main considerations is weather resistance. PV mounting systems must maintain structural stability and reliability over a 25-year service life, withstanding environmental corrosion as well as wind and snow loads. It is also necessary to consider safe and reliable installation, achieving operational effectiveness with minimal installation costs. Additionally, important factors to take into account include whether maintenance-free operation is possible in the later stage, the availability of reliable maintenance guarantees, and the recyclability of the mounting system at the end of its service life.
When designing and constructing a PV power plant, the choice between fixed-tilt mounts, adjustable-tilt mounts, or automatic tracking mounts needs to be made based on local conditions and comprehensive considerations. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and all are still being explored and improved. The characteristics of different types of PV mounting systems are as follows:
Fixed-tilt mounts are the most commonly used structure in most scenarios. They feature simple installation, low cost, and high safety, capable of withstanding high wind speeds and seismic conditions. These mounts require almost no maintenance throughout their service life, resulting in low operation and maintenance costs. Their drawback is relatively low power output when used in high-latitude regions.
Compared with fixed-tilt mounts, adjustable-tilt mounts divide the entire year into several periods. The PV array is set to the average optimal tilt angle for each period, thereby capturing more annual solar radiation than fixed-tilt mounts. Their power generation can be increased by approximately 5% compared to fixed-tilt mounts. They also offer significant advantages over automatic tracking mounts, which suffer from immature technology, high investment costs, high failure rates, and high operation and maintenance expenses. Adjustable-tilt mounts are a practically applicable and economically valuable solution.
Single-axis tracking mounts deliver better energy production performance. Compared with fixed-tilt mounts, horizontal single-axis mounts can increase power generation by 20%~25% in low-latitude regions and 12%~15% in other regions. Inclined single-axis mounts, when used in different regions, can boost power generation by 20%~30%.
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