With more people becoming aware of Earth’s valuable energy sources’ degradation, many have turned to the eco-friendly renewable option of solar power. Solar mounting structures or photovoltaic mounting systems are utilized to attaching such panels to roofs, poles, buildings, or even the ground. With the advance in technology, companies have designed these solar mounting structures to merge with the building’s infrastructure by using similar materials.

What are the various solar mounting structures designs?

Various mounting structures are available in the solar panel market made with different materials that provide different benefits. Materials such as galvanized iron and stainless or industrial-grade steel are required to manufacture such structures as they are durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions. The variety of solar panel mounting structure design can be found below:

  • Rail-based mounting systems: Flat roofs require such a mounting system where rails are installed first. Once the rails are secured in place, the solar panels are individually installed, which allow for customization, including tilt, orientation, and row spacing. This method is one of the more economically accessible options for installation.
  • Ground-based mounting: This method includes pole mounts, foundation mounts, and ballasted mounts. Pole or multi-pole mounts are often embedded in concrete, whereas foundation mounts are concrete slabs.
  • Ballasted mounting: Ballasts or weights are used in this structure to maintain support for the mounting system. The weights hold the solar panels in place, creating an easy and extremely efficient installation process.
  • Anchored mounting: Rooftops with a certain weight constraint can use this mounting as it contains wood screws that penetrate the roof. Anchored mounts have high-grade flashing that ensures secure sealing (airtight and waterproof) even against harsh weather conditions.
  • Elevated mounting structure: This form of rooftop installation, which sets the solar panels 12 to 15 feet above the top of the roof, is one of the most commonly found solar mounting structure The extra steel needed to raise the structure to an elevated height increases the cost 1.5-2 times the cost of a typical structure.

Does the environment benefit from solar panels? Is it reliable?

Sure, the initial expenses for purchasing and installing solar panels, especially personally, seem a bit scary and give rise to the question, ‘Is an investment in solar panel installation worth it?’. The best way to look at it is to consider it as a long-term investment and evaluate the benefits from the said perspective for your personal needs and the environment.

Here are a few advantages to installing solar panels in one’s home or business:

  • Solar energy has an almost null negative environmental impact as it is a renewable resource that requires extremely minimal maintenance.
  • Solar energy can lead to massive savings overtime with your energy bill, even though the first down payment may seem like an astronomical amount.
  • Peak hours typically demand higher bill payments with regular electricity. In contrast, with solar power, peak hours fall in most sunlight, leading to energy produced being proportional to energy consumed.
  • Houses and business with solar panels experience very few to zero power cuts as the energy is stored over time (during daylight)

Does India provide accessible solar module installations?

The short answer – India is one of the leading manufacturers of solar panels and solar module mounting systems globally. A mounting structure is the foundation of any functioning solar plant as they provide support to the panels and hold them in place. As of 2019, evaluation has shown that the market for solar modules is highly fragmented, with over 60 suppliers across the country and the top 10 companies accounting for over 60% of shares. As buyers and the potential customer base continue to expand, research is being done to find the best innovation that introduces cost-effective in solar panels and mounting structures’ market.

The top solar module manufacturers in India have predicted an exponential upward hike in the purchase and installation of solar panels across the country shortly, with a rapid proportional increase in the market for such mounting structures.

To discover the top solar module manufacturers in India, one should consider searching on popular sites for well-researched articles about the environment or energy-saving methods. These sites often have a ranking of companies such as solar panel manufacturers that help make the world more eco-friendly. Once the list is found, more research on the individual companies can be conducted by referring to news platforms or other reliable sources. Feedback from individuals who purchased solar panels from these companies can also be analyzed to back up the facts and provide further assurance if one plans to buy them.