Analysis of the core role of square tubes in photovoltaic support structures

With the continuous advancement of the "dual carbon" strategy and the rapid development of the photovoltaic industry, the photovoltaic support system, as an important part of solar power stations, is receiving more and more attention for its structural strength, installation convenience and cost control capabilities. Square tubes (square tubes, rectangular tubes) have become one of the core materials of photovoltaic support structures due to their high-quality mechanical properties, flexible size adaptation and welding connection methods. This article will analyze the application advantages, structural optimization and actual engineering cases of square tubes in photovoltaic supports.

1. Why choose square tube as the structural material of photovoltaic support?

Compared with round tube or angle steel, square tube has more comprehensive advantages in photovoltaic support system:

Strong structural stability: its closed rectangular cross section provides excellent compression and bending resistance, and can resist wind load and snow load;
Uniform bearing capacity: the thickness of the tube wall is uniform, and the four-sided symmetrical structure is conducive to uniform load distribution;
Various connection methods: suitable for bolt connection, welding, riveting and other structural forms;
 
Convenient on-site construction: square interface is easier to locate, assemble and level, improving installation efficiency;
 
Flexible processing: supports a variety of customized processing methods such as laser cutting, punching, sawing, etc.
 
These characteristics make it particularly suitable for diversified scenarios such as large-scale ground power stations, industrial and commercial rooftop power stations and BIPV projects.

2. Commonly used square tube specifications and material configuration

In the photovoltaic support system, according to the use environment and load requirements, the common selection of square tubes is as follows:

We also support the customization of special specifications (such as thickened type, special-shaped opening type, etc.) to meet the design requirements of different projects.

3. Structural performance of square tubes in different photovoltaic scenarios

Ground centralized photovoltaic power station

Square tubes are used to support large-span bracket structures, and show excellent adaptability and load-bearing performance in complex terrains such as mountains, hills, and deserts.
 
Industrial and commercial roof projects
 
Use lightweight square tubes as guide rails and diagonal brace components to reduce roof loads, while improving overall structural stability and installation convenience.
 
BIPV building photovoltaic system
 
Narrow-edged square tubes and special-shaped square tubes can be customized according to the building shape, which not only meets the structural load-bearing requirements, but also takes into account the aesthetics and photovoltaic component integration requirements.
China Rectangular Tube

4. Square tube processing and surface treatment technology improves durability

Considering the long-term outdoor exposure environment of photovoltaic projects, square tubes need to be treated with anti-corrosion before leaving the factory:

Hot-dip galvanizing treatment: forming a uniform zinc layer, the anti-corrosion life can reach more than 20 years;
ZAM coating (zinc aluminum magnesium): enhances the anti-corrosion ability of corners and improves the salt spray resistance several times;
Spraying/Dacromet treatment: used for secondary parts of the structure to improve the appearance consistency and adhesion.
All products have passed the salt spray test and adhesion test to ensure stable operation in dust, high humidity, saline and alkali environments.
V. Brief description of practical application cases
Case 1: A 100MW ground photovoltaic power station project in Ningxia

100×100×3.0mm square tubes are used as main columns, with 80×40 beams, and the whole structure is hot-dip galvanized. The overall structure is still stable enough under wind load level 13.
Case 2: Jiangsu industrial and commercial roof photovoltaic project
The project structure adopts a 60×40 square tube light structure, with a single roof area of ​​more than 2,000㎡, and the installation cycle takes only 7 days, which improves the construction efficiency.
As a key steel material for photovoltaic bracket systems, square tubes are becoming the supporting materials for various photovoltaic projects with their superior mechanical properties, strong processing adaptability and anti-corrosion capabilities. In the future, with the development trend of BIPV photovoltaic buildings and green manufacturing, square tubes will continue to play their triple advantages of "lightweight + strength + durability" to promote clean energy construction to a higher quality.
Post time: Jul-03-2025