Solar energy is a rapidly growing industry, and the durability and longevity of solar mounting structures are crucial for the efficient functioning of solar power systems. One of the key factors that determine the longevity of solar mounting structures is the type of coating used on them. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of coatings used on solar mounting structures, their unique properties and the industry standard grading in use.
Anodized coating: Anodizing is an electrochemical process that creates a protective oxide layer on the surface of aluminium. This coating is highly durable, resistant to weathering, and provides excellent insulation. Anodized coatings are often used on aluminium solar mounting structures. AA10 is the common industry standard of anodized coating which is 10 microns thick.
Powder coating: This type of coating is applied as a dry powder and then cured under heat. It is an environmentally friendly process and provides a durable, long-lasting finish. Powder coating is often used for steel and aluminium solar mounting structures.
Galvanized coating: This type of coating is used to protect steel from corrosion. Galvanized coatings are available in two forms: electro-galvanized and hot-dip galvanized. Electro-galvanized coating is applied by electroplating zinc onto the steel, while hot-dip galvanized coating is applied by immersing the steel in a bath of molten zinc. Both types of galvanized coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance. Hot rolled sheets with Hot Dip Galvanizing coat ranging from 80 microns to special coating of 120 microns is the industry standard for hot-dip galvanized coating.
Galvalume coating: This type of coating is a type of alloy coating that is composed of a mixture of aluminium, zinc, and silicon. Galvalume coating is highly corrosion-resistant and provides excellent protection for steel solar mounting structures. 150 AZ coating is the industry standard for Galvalume coating.
PosMAC coating: POSMAC coating is a corrosion-resistant product that is 5 to 10 times stronger resistance than that of a normal hot-dip galvanized steel sheet [GI, GI(H)]with the same coating weight. PosMAC has an excellent cross-section corrosion resistance; normal thick plating products can be replaced with this product. The same processing, assembly, and painting process can be applied to PosMAC as one would apply to GI. GP Sheets with coating upto 550 GSM is the industry standard for PosMAC coating.
In conclusion, the type of coating used on solar mounting structures plays a crucial role in determining the longevity and durability of the structures. The use of anodized, powder, galvanized, Galvalume and PosMAC coatings provides excellent protection against corrosion and weathering, ensuring the efficient functioning of solar power systems. It’s important to choose the right coating based on the specific needs and requirements of the project.