All pipes mentioned in this article are sold by PANDAPIPE.
Are you wondering why a pipe company would write an article about Solar Panel Racking? Actually, Solar Panel Racking is essentially a metal structure, and pipes are the main material that makes up the structure.
What Is A Solar Panel?
A solar panel generates electricity using the photoelectric effect. Its core unit is a solar cell, and its main material is semiconductor silicon.
The core components of the support system include
- foundation (helical piles, concrete foundations, etc.)
- main support structure (columns, inclined beams),
- secondary support structure (purlins)
- fasteners (guide rails, various connectors)
Why Use Solar Panel Racking?
In most cases, solar panel mounting is essential! Mounting allows for angle adjustments, increasing power generation efficiency, and a sturdy mount enables solar panels to easily withstand extreme weather conditions. Without mounting, power generation will be lower, safety risks will be greater, equipment will be more prone to damage, and long-term maintenance costs will be significantly increased.
Solar Panel Racking Material
Carbon steel
Carbon steel is the most commonly used material for solar panel racks, with Q235B and Q355B being the most frequently used steel grades. It boasts high strength, strong support capacity, relatively low cost, and excellent cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the processing technology for carbon steel is very mature, making it easy to cut and weld. The only drawback is its poor corrosion resistance.
Anti-corrosion treatment
If you want to use carbon steel for your solar panel racks but are worried about corrosion and rain damage, don’t worry. Hot-dip galvanizing can coat your solar panel racks with a galvanized layer. PANDAPIPE offers high-quality galvanized pipes; their galvanized coating is uniform, has strong adhesion, and meets or exceeds industry standards! You can rest assured when choosing PANDAPIPE galvanized carbon steel pipes.
Aluminum alloy
Aluminum alloys possess excellent corrosion resistance, making them suitable for use in rainy and humid environments or coastal areas with high salinity. Their light weight also makes them suitable for roofs with weak structural supports. While aluminum alloys have many advantages, they have two significant drawbacks: firstly, their high cost, far exceeding that of carbon steel; and secondly, their low strength, making them prone to deformation. Commonly used grades are 6061-T6 and 6063-T5.
Solar Panel Racking Pipe Type
Galvanized Square/Rectangular Tube
This is the most commonly used structural component in Solar Panel Racking. It boasts excellent torsional resistance, an attractive appearance, and is easy to install and connect. Square tubing also offers a significant advantage in space utilization.
| Application areas | Recommended specifications (width x height x wall thickness) |
| Main beam/slanted beam | 60x40x2.5mm, 80x40x2.5mm, 80x60x2.5mm, 100x50x3.0mm |
| Column | 60x60x2.5mm, 80x80x3.0mm, 100x100x3.0mm |
| Secondary beams/purlins | 40x40x2.0mm, 50x50x2.0mm, 40x20x1.5mm |
| Photovoltaic carport | 100x100x4.0mm, 120x120x4.0mm, 150x150x5.0mm |
Round Pipe
The advantage of round tubes is that they distribute stress evenly and have excellent compressive strength. In windy conditions, round tubes have less wind resistance than square tubes.
| Application areas | Recommended specifications (outer diameter x wall thickness) |
| Main beam/slanted beam | Φ60×2.5mm, Φ76×3.0mm, Φ89×3.0mm, Φ114×3.5mm |
| Column | Φ48×2.0mm, Φ42×2.0mm |
| Secondary beams/purlins | Φ89×4.0mm, Φ114×4.0mm |
| Photovoltaic carport | Φ140×4.0mm, Φ168×5.0mm |
Solar Panel Racking Pipe Manufacturer
Are you looking for Solar Panel Racking? Unsure whether to use square or round tubing, or stainless steel or carbon steel? Click below to contact a PANDAPIPE expert for answers! PANDAPIPE is a professional pipe manufacturer and seller, guaranteeing quality. Choosing PANDAPIPE means choosing peace of mind.
