Solar power has become one of the most popular choices in the renewable energy revolution. However, when thinking of solar power, our attention is mainly focused on the photovoltaic panels themselves, and we forget about the significant role played by the mounting structure itself.
The type of mounting structures can not only affect the efficiency of the solar panels themselves but also impact the environment.
Choosing the appropriate material from the start may allow you to reuse or recycle the demolished material.
Material
The material selection for your mounting structure directly impacts its environmental footprint. Various grades and profiles of aluminium and steel are commonly used for solar mounting structures due to their durability and strength, although production and manufacturing are energy-and emission-intensive.
To reduce this footprint, manufacturers are moving towards using more recycled materials, including aluminium and steel, but they are also looking into more sustainable and innovative solutions, such as bamboo and composites.
Transportation
Solar Mounting structures can often use heavy and bulky material that requires transportation from manufacturer to supplier to site. Transportation involves fuel consumption and emissions that can also be drastically increased if the material is being imported from overseas. To reduce these emissions, amongst other benefits, some companies with the capability to do so have moved to locally sourced or in-house manufacturing, creating an eco-friendly product overall. Lumax Energy is one of a small handful of solar mounting companies that have in-house manufacturing and production capabilities for steel and aluminium products.
End-of-Life Considerations
Like any other infrastructure, solar mounting structures have a finite lifespan. At the end of their service life, they need to be dismantled and disposed of. Disposing of the structures may lead to environmental challenges depending on the material used. Choosing the appropriate material from the start may allow you to:
- Reuse or recycle the demolished material
- Reducing waste
- Resource consumption
- Resulting in a less severe end-of-life impact
Conclusion
When considering renewable, clean, and more sustainable energy alternatives, the entire solution should be considered, not just the end result. Manufacturers like Lumax Energy are going the extra mile to save on costs and improve and create more eco-friendly mounting structures, thereby reducing the overall environmental footprint of solar energy. Various factors must be considered, from material selection to local manufacturing, for their different environmental impacts.
By improving all sectors that make up renewable energy, from panels to inverters to mounting structures, a more reliable and sustainable solution can enhance the vision for the future.
