SolarPower Europe’s new report urges national NZIA support for mounting systems
Solar mounting systems improve solar yield by spreading generation across more daylight hours, enhancing flexibility
Europe has a strong supply chain, but faces rising competition from lower-cost non-European mounting system imports
Tracking systems boost energy value by up to 30% annually compared to fixed-tilt mounting structures
In a new report, SolarPower Europe highlights the strategic role of solar mounting systems in reinforcing Europe’s solar manufacturing base. The association calls for a stronger trade focus and standards for this segment of the solar ecosystem as these make solar ‘possible, durable, and flexible’.
Solar mounting systems orient the panels east-west, thereby capturing more sunlight in the morning and evening hours, rather than at noon. Vertical mounting systems are better suited for t this, as they can catch lower angles of light. Another kind of mounting system offers the tracking option, which can provide up to 30% more value in €/MWh annually than an equivalent fixed-tilt system.
By virtue of stretching the abundant solar generation midday peak to the morning and evening, these mounting systems are easing pressure on the grid, argue the writers. This flexibility is required for the energy system of the future.
“Innovative mounting systems are spreading solar generation beyond the midday peak, bringing the power of the sun for more hours of the day, and improving the business case for solar,” explained SPE’s Deputy CEO, Dries Acke.
At present, Europe houses over 40 solar mounting system companies that develop mounting solutions across the rooftop and ground-mounted segments, as well as catering to other PV applications such as façades, agri-PV, and solar carports, among others. These structures are mainly made up of steel and aluminum, for which Europe has a well-developed supply chain.
The report cites the TaiyangNews Solar Trackers Market Survey 2024 to share that steel represents a major expense for mounting systems: for tracking systems, they constitute about 70% of total product costs, with additional costs for motors, control systems, and software.
While the continent has a sufficient domestic supply of mounting systems to meet the bulk of its demand, there is an increasing pressure from the non-European competitors, notes the association in the report titled Solar Mounting Systems Explained Supporting Europe’s Flexible Solar Future.
It explains that, “in a context of decreasing solar component prices across the value chain and growing economies of scale, the sector is concerned by the impact of imports of cheaper components or products into the EU market, incurring risks for quality and resilience. Clear and transparent analysis of solar mounting structures in international trade is challenged by the lack of available customs data.”
To ensure support for this segment of the solar PV system supply chain, the report writers make 3 main recommendations:
Adding mounting structures more widely to the implementation of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) at the national level. While the NZIA Secondary Legislation includes PV trackers and their specific mounting structures in the list of net-zero technology final products and their main specific components contributing to the sector’s resilience, the SPE report demands inclusion of fixed mounting structure solutions in the list.
Developing specific Harmonized System (HS) code/customs codes for both solar mounting structures and trackers to track and identify the shipments of these components in international trade, following the precedent for solar inverters and modules.
Developing harmonized and robust quality standards across the 3 main areas of structural integrity, transparency, and warranties to support the development of a single market for quality mounting structures.
The complete report is available for free download on SPE’s website.