As the global energy transition accelerates and the photovoltaic industry moves towards large-scale development, steel, with its high strength, high stability, and green adaptability, has become a core material supporting the entire lifecycle of photovoltaic power stations, from construction to operation. From large-scale photovoltaic bases in vast deserts to distributed rooftop power stations, steel, in diverse forms, forms the "steel backbone" of photovoltaic systems, providing a critical guarantee for the efficient conversion and stable output of clean energy, and becoming a vital force in promoting cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and sustainable development in the photovoltaic industry.

The infrastructure of photovoltaic power stations relies on steel as a solid foundation. The mounting systems of large-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic power stations widely utilize Q355ND low-temperature toughness structural steel, which maintains excellent mechanical properties even in extreme temperatures of -40°C. It can withstand the impact of severe weather such as strong winds and heavy snow, ensuring that photovoltaic modules maintain their optimal tilt angle for a long time. Mounting components are made of hot-dip galvanized steel with a zinc layer thickness of at least 85μm, effectively resisting soil corrosion and atmospheric oxidation. This extends the mounting service life to over 25 years, perfectly matching the lifecycle of photovoltaic modules and significantly reducing power station operation and maintenance costs. Optimized equipment load-bearing and layout highlight the technological advantages of steel. The drive shaft and gearbox components of the photovoltaic tracking bracket are manufactured from 40CrNiMoA alloy structural steel. Through quenching and tempering, the hardness reaches HB280-320. This combines high strength and toughness, enabling precise rotation of the components in accordance with the sun's trajectory and improving power generation efficiency by 15%-20%. In rooftop distributed power stations, cold-formed thin-walled steel sections, thanks to their lightweight and easy-to-process properties, enable rapid bracket construction without disrupting the existing building structure. With cross-sectional accuracy within 0.5mm, they can flexibly adapt to various rooftop configurations, promoting the widespread adoption of distributed photovoltaics.

The green attributes of steel are deeply aligned with the development philosophy of the photovoltaic industry. Currently, the photovoltaic industry is rapidly transitioning towards low-carbon steel. Steel companies are using shortened steelmaking processes to reduce carbon emissions from steel production by over 50%, forming a "green closed loop" with the clean energy properties of photovoltaics. At the same time, the high recycling rate of steel (over 95%) allows the support materials of photovoltaic power stations to be recycled after decommissioning, effectively reducing resource waste and providing important support for the photovoltaic industry to achieve low-carbon development throughout its life cycle.