What are Photovoltaic (PV) Mounting Systems, and What is A PV Mounting System Foundation?

1. What are the common defects in PV mounting systems?

① Substandard galvanized coating on the mounting material;

② Severe corrosion of purlins;

③ Severe deformation of the rear support column;

④ Severe damage to the galvanized coating;

⑤ Other defects. Common defects in PV mounting systems are shown in the image below. These defects are mainly caused by inherent quality defects in the mounting system itself, improper construction, etc.

2. What are PV mounting systems?

PV mounting systems are structures used to install, fix, and support solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. Their main function is to ensure that the PV modules are fixed at the appropriate angle and position, thereby maximizing the reception of solar radiation and improving power generation efficiency. PV mounting systems can be divided into various types according to the installation environment and purpose, mainly including ground-mounted systems, rooftop systems, column-mounted systems, and carport systems.

The main functions of PV mounting systems are: fixing and supporting PV modules; adjusting the angle of PV modules; durability and corrosion resistance; and simplifying installation and maintenance.

3. What is a PV mounting system foundation?

The photovoltaic (PV) support foundation is a crucial component of a PV system, providing stable support for the PV modules and ensuring their safe and stable operation under various climatic conditions. The selection of the PV support foundation must be determined based on the geological conditions, climatic conditions, and engineering requirements of the installation site. Common types of PV support foundations include: concrete foundations, ground screw foundations, driven pile foundations, concrete block foundations, and steel structure foundations.

Reinforced Concrete Foundations: Foundations made of reinforced concrete and steel bars are used to fix and support the PV system, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the PV modules under various climatic conditions. Due to their high strength and durability, reinforced concrete foundations are widely used in large-scale projects such as ground-mounted PV power plants.

Construction Steps:

* Site Preparation: Clear the construction site, level the ground, and ensure the foundation is stable.

* Foundation Excavation: Excavate the foundation pit according to the design drawings, ensuring the dimensions and depth of the foundation pit meet the requirements.

* Reinforcement Binding: Fabricate and bind the reinforcing steel frame according to the design drawings, ensuring the dimensions and position of the reinforcing steel frame are accurate.

* Formwork Erection: Erect the formwork in the foundation pit, ensuring the formwork is stable and preventing deformation during concrete pouring.

Concrete Pouring: Pour concrete according to design requirements and vibrate it to ensure it is dense and free of voids.

Curing: After pouring, cure the concrete, keeping it moist to prevent cracking and improve its strength.

Formwork Removal and Acceptance: Remove the formwork after the concrete strength reaches the design requirements and conduct foundation acceptance.

The advantages of reinforced concrete independent foundations are clear force transmission paths, reliable stress distribution, wide applicability, and no need for specialized construction machinery. This type of foundation has strong resistance to horizontal loads.

Ground Screw Foundation: This is a type of foundation used to fix and support photovoltaic (PV) brackets. It provides stable support for PV brackets by screwing helical metal piles into the ground. Ground screw foundations are advantageous due to their quick installation and minimal environmental impact. Its structure mainly consists of a ground screw body and connecting components. The pile body is helical with helical blades at the end, which helps provide adhesion and stability when screwed into the ground.

Construction Steps: Site preparation; pile positioning; screwing in the piles; connection and positioning.

Piling Foundation: A piling foundation for photovoltaic (PV) systems is a type of foundation that supports and secures the PV system by driving piles into the ground. This foundation type offers high load-bearing capacity and stability, is suitable for various geological conditions, and is widely used, especially in large-scale PV power plants. Its structure consists of piles and connecting components. The piles are typically made of high-strength steel and undergo anti-corrosion treatment (such as hot-dip galvanizing) to enhance durability. Different types of piles, such as steel pipe piles and H-beams, are selected based on geological conditions and design requirements.

Construction Steps: Site preparation, geological exploration, positioning, piling, and connecting the system. This type is commonly used in large-scale PV power plants in areas with high wind speeds and complex geological conditions.

Cement Block Foundation: A cement block foundation for PV systems is a common foundation type. It involves prefabricating or casting cement blocks on the ground to fix the PV system to the blocks, providing stable support for the PV modules. This foundation type is widely used due to its simple construction, low cost, and wide applicability. It consists of cement blocks and fasteners. The cement blocks can be square, rectangular, or other shapes, and their dimensions are determined by the load requirements of the system and the PV modules. The fasteners consist of two parts: embedded parts and connectors.

Construction steps: site preparation, foundation treatment, cement block fabrication, and photovoltaic bracket installation. This method is typically used in small and medium-sized photovoltaic power plants, temporary photovoltaic systems, and situations with special geological conditions.

Steel Structure Foundation for Photovoltaic Brackets

Steel structure foundations, with their high strength, stability, and durability, have become an important foundation type in photovoltaic system construction. Proper design and installation of steel structure foundations not only improve the safety and stability of the photovoltaic system but also enable it to adapt to various complex geological and climatic conditions, enhancing the overall benefits of the project. Through proper foundation treatment, corrosion protection of the steel, and control of installation precision, steel structure foundations can provide long-term reliable support for the photovoltaic system, ensuring its stable operation under various environmental conditions.