ZAM Steel for Solar Mounting

ZAM steel for solar mounting is a highly corrosion-resistant coated steel product. It features a hot-dip ternary alloy coating (approximately 95% zinc, 5% aluminum, and trace amounts of magnesium) applied to a low-carbon steel substrate. In recent years, it has become the mainstream upgraded material replacing traditional hot-dip galvanized steel for PV mounting structures. It serves as the primary material for mounting profiles—directly roll-formed into purlins, posts, diagonal braces, and rails to create load-bearing systems for fixed or tracking mounts. The coating itself provides long-lasting corrosion resistance against outdoor elements such as salt spray, rain, and industrial gases, eliminating the need for secondary hot-dip galvanizing.

Core Functions

Direct Profile Forming: 

Steel coils undergo a single-pass roll-forming process on cold-bending lines to produce C, U, Hat (Ω), H, Z, and I-shaped sections, as well as square and rectangular tubes. These serve as the purlins, rails, posts, and braces for the mounting system, transforming a single coil of steel strip directly into finished structural components.

Resilience in Outdoor Corrosive Environments: 

The Zn-Al-Mg coating provides continuous protection for the substrate in high-humidity, coastal, saline-alkali, and industrial atmospheres, replacing the traditional two-step process of fabricating "black steel" parts followed by hot-dip galvanizing.

Modular Assembly: 

Coated components are assembled using bolts, clamps, and triangular connectors. This minimizes on-site welding and cutting, thereby preserving the integrity of the protective coating to the greatest extent possible.

Structural Support: 

ZAM steel for solar mounting works in conjunction with PV modules, clamps, and rails to bear wind loads, snow loads, and the dead weight of the modules, meeting the structural design requirements for both fixed and tracking mounting systems.

Reduced Maintenance: 

The coating features self-healing properties at cut edges and offers a long service life. Power plants require virtually no touch-up painting or maintenance during operation, thereby reducing inspection and repair costs.

Technical Specifications

Item	Specification
Product Name	ZAM steel for solar mounting
Base Material	Q235B, Q355B, S350GD, S550GD
Coating Composition	Zn-5%Al-Trace Mg (Zinc-Aluminum-Magnesium ternary alloy)
Coating Grade	ZM120 / ZM150 / ZM275 / ZM310 (g/㎡, total for both sides)
Product Form	Steel coil, flat sheet, formed purlins (C/U/hat/H/Z/I sections, square & rectangular tubes)
Thickness Range	1.5mm ~ 4.0mm
Yield Strength	235 ~ 550 MPa (depends on substrate grade)
Surface Condition	Natural ZAM finish, anti-fingerprint and passivation treatment optional
Applicable Standards	JIS G 3323, EN 10346, GB/T 31901, ASTM A1046
Packaging	Steel coil on wooden pallet + anti-rust film; formed profiles bundled with waterproof film
Application Conditions	Coastal, saline-alkali, high humidity and industrial corrosive environments

Shipping and Packaging

Coil Packaging: 

Coils of ZAM steel for solar mounting are wrapped in anti-rust, moisture-proof film with internal desiccant and secured to solid wood pallets with steel strapping. Labels indicating the steel grade, heat number, weight, and specifications are attached to prevent condensation and coil unraveling during maritime transport. Packaging for Formed Parts: Formed sections—such as C-channels, U-channels, hat-shaped profiles, and rectangular/square tubes—are bundled together with edge protectors applied to the ends and wrapped in waterproof film to prevent coating abrasions or edge damage during transit.

Container Loading: 

Loading plans are calculated based on container capacity; profiles and accessories are stacked in separate layers and secured with gap-filling materials to minimize movement during transport. Accessories (bolts, clamps, connectors) are boxed separately and shipped with the main cargo to prevent loss or mixing.

Shipping Marks and Documentation: 

Outer boxes are marked in English (product name, specifications, quantity, gross/net weight, port of destination). Documentation included with the shipment—such as invoices, packing lists, material certificates, copies of CE/ISO certificates, and third-party inspection reports—facilitates customs clearance at the destination port.

Direct Port Shipment: 

The factory is located adjacent to Tianjin Port, allowing customs declaration, container loading, and vessel loading to be completed in a single workflow. This eliminates inland transshipment, thereby reducing transit time and the risk of cargo damage.

Applications

Coastal Ground-Mounted Power Plants: 

Coastal areas feature heavy salt spray; standard galvanized steel often develops red rust within two to three years, whereas ZAM steel for solar mounting is the preferred mounting material for large-scale coastal solar farms.

Fishery-Solar and Agri-Solar Hybrid Projects: 

High humidity over water surfaces and saline-alkali soil conditions in fields require durable materials; ZAM steel offers excellent resistance to moisture and salinity, ensuring that elevated mounting structures remain stable and rust-free over the long term.

Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Distributed Systems: 

Rooftop spaces are often cramped and difficult to access for maintenance; ZAM steel’s one-piece forming and long, maintenance-free service life eliminate the need for costly rooftop touch-up painting.

Solar Carports: 

Carports are exposed to outdoor rain; ZAM steel features a self-healing coating at cut edges, ensuring that columns, main beams, and diagonal braces remain free of paint loss and rust during long-term use.

Industrial and Chemical Parks: 

Air in the vicinity of chemical plants, mining areas, and steel mills is highly corrosive; ZAM coatings offer superior resistance to industrial atmospheric corrosion compared to standard galvanizing, making them ideal for power plants located in corrosive environments. For high-latitude and high-rainfall regions—areas subject to heavy snow loads and frequent precipitation—ZAM steel for solar mounting (utilizing high-strength S550GD substrates) offer the ideal combination of structural load-bearing capacity and rust resistance.

Why Choose Us?

Yizhao has been exporting ZAM steel for solar mounting since 2015, serving over 30 countries and regions across the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America. We have delivered more than 1,000 projects, with a cumulative global shipment volume exceeding 27 GW. Our experience ranges from initial pilot orders of a few dozen kilowatts to massive GW-scale contracts—including a single 1.2 GW project in the Middle East valued at over 200 million RMB—giving us comprehensive expertise in every step of the export process.

Through years of exporting, we have gained a deep understanding of what overseas buyers need:

Complete Documentation: 

CE, ISO, and SGS certificates, material specifications, and third-party inspection reports to ensure smooth customs clearance at the destination port.

Reliable Communication: 

English-speaking sales support and dedicated personnel managing the entire process—from drawing confirmation and Proforma Invoices (PI) to Letters of Credit (LC), final payments, and Bills of Lading.

Logistics Expertise: 

Direct shipments from Tianjin Port, with familiarity regarding container loading, cargo securing, and shipping mark requirements across different countries.

FAQ

Q1: Can ZAM steel be used for tracking mounts, or is it limited to fixed mounts? 

It is suitable for both. ZAM is a coating material, not a specific structural design; it can be formed into rails, posts, and actuator connectors for tracking systems. In fact, ZAM is a cost-effective choice for tracking mounts, which are exposed to the elements for extended periods.

Q2: Will the steel coils rust due to moisture during the one-to-two-month sea voyage? 

No. Before leaving the factory, the coils are wrapped in anti-rust film, packed with desiccants, and secured on wooden pallets. We have extensive experience exporting to the Middle East and South America, handling shipments that spend 30–45 days at sea; our packaging methods ensure no issues arise.

Q3: Which countries do you primarily export to? Can you provide sufficient documentation for customs clearance? 

We primarily export to the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America. We can provide all standard documents required for customs clearance—such as invoices, packing lists, material specifications, CE/ISO certificates, and test reports—along with the shipment. If specific destination countries require additional certification, please let us know in advance, and we will assist in obtaining it.

Q4: What is the loading capacity of a container, and how are shipping costs calculated? 

For ZAM steel for solar mounting loading capacity is calculated based on profile specifications and packaging plans; typically, a 40HQ container holds approximately 25–28 metric tons. We provide FOB Tianjin Port quotes; for ocean freight to the destination port, customers can arrange their own freight forwarder, or we can obtain quotes on their behalf.

Q5: Will the coating batch change for long-term partnerships? 

No. We schedule production based on fixed steel grades and coating weights. Repeat orders utilize the same material specifications and testing standards, ensuring that component color and performance remain consistent with previous batches for new project expansions.

Q6: Do you accept small trial orders, or only large-scale orders? 

We accept both. While the standard minimum order quantity is one container, we welcome trial orders from new clients—starting with a smaller container to verify quality before scaling up volume is a common approach for many of our overseas customers.