As solar development expands, the next wave of projects may depend not only on photovoltaic panels, but also on the structures that allow those panels to be installed in more complex environments.

For Mibet Energy, this means developing mounting systems that can support solar projects across utility-scale sites, rooftops, sloped terrain, floating platforms, and potentially harsher water-based conditions.

In an interview with Power Philippines during the SNEC PV Power Expo in Shanghai, Mibet Energy Senior International Sales Manager Irene Li said the company is focusing on solar PV mounting systems that can respond to more varied project requirements over the next three to five years.

Beyond conventional solar sites

Solar mounting systems are the structures that hold photovoltaic panels in place. While they often receive less attention than solar modules, they play a critical role in determining where a project can be built and how well it can operate under different site conditions.

For flat rooftops or open land, mounting systems may be relatively straightforward. But as developers look to maximize available space, projects increasingly have to consider more challenging areas, including uneven terrain, sloped land, and water surfaces.

Li said Mibet is looking at solutions that can help developers make fuller use of available areas for power generation, including sites that are not limited to flat rooftops.

“We will try to develop a solid-pile multi-structure which will be suitable for this kind of project requirement,” Li said, adding that the company is also considering areas with slopes, such as hillsides.

The shift reflects a broader challenge in solar development: not every promising project site is simple to build on. In some cases, the ability to use an area for solar generation may depend on whether the mounting structure can adapt to the site’s physical conditions.

Floating solar gains momentum

Floating solar is becoming one of the clearest examples of how mounting technology can open new areas for renewable energy development.

Instead of using land, floating solar projects are installed on bodies of water, such as reservoirs, ponds, lakes, and other suitable water surfaces. These projects require mounting systems that can keep panels stable while accounting for buoyancy, water movement, anchoring, and long-term exposure to moisture.

Li said floating solar PV mounting structures are among the areas Mibet is paying attention to, noting that the company has already installed around one gigawatt (GW) of floating solar PV mounting structures.

The figure gives Mibet a foothold in a segment that is drawing growing interest as developers explore ways to deploy solar without relying solely on land-based sites.

For countries where land availability, competing land uses, or terrain conditions may affect project development, floating solar can provide another option for expanding renewable energy capacity.

Designing for harsher environments

Mibet is also looking at water-based applications that may involve more difficult environmental conditions.

Li said the company has designs for pure water and ocean environments, noting that saltwater conditions require solutions that can withstand harsher exposure.

Saltwater can accelerate corrosion, while ocean or coastal environments can expose systems to stronger movement, higher humidity, and more demanding durability requirements. These conditions make material selection, structural stability, and long-term reliability especially important.

For mounting system providers, this means technology development is not only about holding panels in place. It is also about ensuring that the structure can withstand the environment where the project is built.

Adapting to local conditions 

Solar project requirements can vary widely between markets.

Some countries may require systems that can withstand extreme cold, while others may involve high humidity, coastal exposure, uneven land, or floating installations. These differences can make site-specific design a key part of solar development.

Li said different country conditions create both challenges and opportunities for companies like Mibet.

For developers, this highlights the importance of adapting solar technology to local realities instead of treating all project sites the same.

A mounting system designed for a flat utility-scale site may not be suitable for a hillside installation. A structure used on a freshwater reservoir may not be enough for a harsher saltwater environment. Each site requires a different set of engineering considerations.

Relevance to the Philippines

For an archipelagic market such as the Philippines, mounting solutions for complex sites could become increasingly relevant as solar developers look for more ways to expand renewable energy deployment.

The country has strong solar potential, but project development can be shaped by land availability, island geography, uneven terrain, and the need to bring power closer to demand centers.

While ground-mounted solar projects will continue to play a major role, technologies that support rooftops, slopes, and floating systems may help broaden the range of viable project locations.

This makes mounting systems a practical but often overlooked part of the solar value chain.

The structure behind solar growth 

Solar expansion is often measured in megawatts, project pipelines, and investment commitments. But behind every installed panel is a structure that determines whether the system can be safely and effectively deployed.

For Mibet, the opportunity lies in helping developers build solar projects in more places, including locations that may have once been considered too difficult or complex.

As solar development moves beyond conventional sites, mounting systems may become increasingly important in shaping where the next wave of PV projects can be built.

Mibet Energy is a China-based solar technology company specializing in photovoltaic mounting and racking systems. Its product portfolio includes ground-mounted, rooftop, carport, floating solar, and tracking systems designed for residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar projects.

As developers look to unlock more complex project sites, how important will mounting systems become in determining the future of solar deployment?

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