Vast and awe-inspiring, deserts hold immense potential for solar energy, but they also pose daunting engineering challenges. Shifting dunes, soft and unstable soil, fierce sandstorms, and fragile ecosystems all complicate solar development. Traditional rigid steel mounting structures often prove incompatible, requiring large-scale land leveling, excessive concrete use, and struggling to withstand the desert's harsh conditions. DAS Solar is rewriting this narrative. With its flexible mounting system, the company introduces a breakthrough solution engineered specifically for desert terrains.
Deserts are notorious for their relentless winds—often reaching well over 100 km/h—and wind remains one of the greatest threats to the stability of PV installations. The integrity of a solar power plant in such conditions rests squarely on its underlying structure. DAS Solar's flexible mounting systems features ultra-wide-span cable-based frames that, while adaptive and lightweight, are anything but fragile.
On a mechanical level, DAS Solar's flexible mounting system leverages a bidirectional pre-stressed cable network: main bearing cables in the east-west direction combine with spatial cable meshwork in the north-south axis. This advanced tension-based design effectively disperses wind loads and enhances the system's damping and vibration resistance, significantly extending product lifespan. The system has passed wind tunnel tests conducted by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (critical wind speed > 46 m/s), and endured real-world conditions such as the extreme +40℃ to -40℃ temperature swings and level-17 sandstorms in Xinjiang. Over the past three years of operation, the system has withstood multiple typhoons and gale-force winds without failure. Recently, the fourth-generation system remained fully operational after Super Typhoon Yagi struck Hainan. Verified by both China Energy Engineering and TÜV Rheinland, this robust wind resistance not only ensures stable long-term power generation but also lays the groundwork for large-scale desert ecological restoration powered by clean energy.
Beyond strength, flexibility is key to working with the desert's natural contours. Unlike rigid foundations that demand flattening of dunes and leveling of terrain, DAS Solar's tension-based flexible mounts float above the ground. By eliminating the need for heavy land excavation or slope cutting, the system minimizes surface disruption and preserves the desert's original landscape. The high-clearance design allows for natural airflow and water vapor circulation, while the wide spans enable the system to adapt to irregular landforms. With fewer foundation points and reduced concrete usage, DAS Solar's flexible mounting system reduces ecological impact, enabling solar modules to hover above, leaving the land below untouched.
This elevated design also opens space for regeneration beneath the modules. With abundant clearance underneath, the system provide ideal conditions for planting hardy, sand-fixing vegetation like shrubs and mosses, creating corridors for wildlife movement and stabilizing microclimates. The shading effect of the panels lowers ground temperature and water evaporation, while the frame structure helps slow down wind, offering windbreak and sand-shielding benefits. Together, these factors support a symbiotic model of solar power generation and desert restoration.
Desert construction faces major logistical hurdles like remote access, high transport costs, and low labor efficiency. DAS Solar's flexible mounting systems are designed with prefabrication and modularity in mind. With a high degree of factory pre-assembly and simplified onsite installation, the system reduces heavy equipment needs and minimizes ground disturbance. The adoption of a sliding installation method also increases construction efficiency by over 20%, significantly shortening project timelines.
Building on its core flexible technology, DAS Solar has introduced theflexible tracking system, which allows modules to dynamically adjust tilt angles and follow the sun. Compared to traditional fixed systems, this tracker solution delivers a 10.7% increase in energy yield, reduces foundation count by 30%, and offers flexible site layout and placement, making it especially suited to rugged, variable desert terrain. The system enables "PV + desertification control" projects to evolve into high-yield, intelligent, and sustainable operations.
One successful example is the 50MW PV project in Shaanxi. Built on sandy and saline-alkali soils with severely degraded ecology, the project spans 1,410 acres. DAS Solar's flexible mounting system was applied to 6MW of the project. The steel-cable design allows for full adaptation to uneven terrain without extensive foundation work, minimizing ecological disturbance. Combined with revegetation efforts under the panels, the project has achieved significant improvements in dust suppression, soil moisture retention, and sand stabilization. It also catalyzed local green industry development and job creation, serving as a national benchmark for the integration of desertification control and clean energy development.
In the context of global net-zero goals, deserts are no longer seen as barren wastelands, but as strategic frontiers for energy transition. DAS Solar's flexible mounting system redefines what PV in the desert can look like. Looking forward, the company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of "PV + ecology" innovation. By continuously optimizing product performance and deployment scenarios, DAS Solar aims to ensure clean energy breathe new life into desert landscapes, helping build a future where humanity and nature flourish side by side.
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