The penetration rate of tracking mounts has been increasing year by year, and the combination of bifacial modules with single-axis tracking has become the mainstream solution for large-scale flat-ground solar farms. This has led many customers to wonder: Will tracking mounts gradually replace fixed mounts?

The conclusion is clear: no. Tracking mounts are a solution for maximizing energy yield, while fixed mounts serve as the foundation for photovoltaic systems; the two are complementary, not substitutes for one another.

The value of tracking mounts lies primarily in large-scale ground-mounted installations located on flat terrain with ample direct solar radiation and abundant land, where sun-tracking mechanisms deliver a 15%–25% increase in power generation. However, this technology has clear limitations: it requires highly level terrain, has a larger wind-exposed surface area, and includes motor and control components, resulting in higher construction and O&M costs. As a result, it is generally not feasible for mountainous areas, fish ponds, rooftops, and similar settings.

In contrast, fixed mounts—with their minimalist design, high reliability, and broad range of applications—have maintained their stronghold in distributed projects, complex terrain, and low-budget projects. Whether on color-coated steel sheet roofs, flat concrete roofs, mountainous agro-solar projects, fish-solar complementary projects, or in low-latitude regions near the equator, fixed mounts remain the top choice. They come factory-set with the optimal tilt angle, have no moving parts, and feature mature designs that withstand wind, snow, and corrosion. With fast delivery and very few potential failure points, they are ideally suited to the need for long-term, stable operation of power plants over a 25-year period.

The long-term industry landscape is now clear: large-scale, flat sites with high irradiance are best suited for tracking systems, while rooftops, complex terrain, and areas with low electricity prices are best suited for fixed mounts. Tracking systems will continue to gain market share in ground-mounted power plants, but they will never be able to cover all PV applications; fixed mounts will continue to hold an important position in the market.

FAQ:

Q1: What are the key advantages of fixed mounts, and how do you determine whether to use them for a project?

A: Fixed mounts offer three key advantages: lower initial investment, faster installation, and virtually zero O&M burden. They contain no wear-prone components such as motors, sensors, or gearboxes, and require only routine inspections to tighten bolts over their 25-year lifespan. They are suitable for rooftop solar, mountainous, agro-solar, and projects with fragmented land parcels, as well as those with high financing costs or relatively low electricity prices. Whenever a site does not meet the conditions of a large, flat area with high direct solar irradiance, fixed-mount systems should be evaluated as the first option.

Q2: What types of roofs and terrain are compatible with fixed mounting systems, and what should be considered when selecting a model?

A: Fixed mounting systems are suitable for the vast majority of scenarios: color-coated steel roofing (clamp-on solution requiring no drilling), flat concrete roofs (ballast / anchor bolts), tile roofs (tile hooks), mountainous areas, tidal flats, and floating foundations for fish-solar projects. When selecting a model, focus on two key factors: first, local wind and snow load capacities; second, the corrosion protection solution. For inland areas, hot-dip galvanizing is suitable, while in coastal, saline-alkali, or highly corrosive regions, zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy brackets are recommended to ensure a 25-year service life for the system components.