A Comprehensive Analysis of the Latest Industry Policies for Photovoltaic Mounting Systems in 2026: Subsidy Standards and a Practical Implementation Guide for Enterprises

 

A photovoltaic mounting structure is a specialized load-bearing framework that supports photovoltaic modules and serves as an indispensable core component of a photovoltaic power generation system. In 2026, China’s national energy authorities, in light of progress in achieving the dual carbon goals and the realities of industrial development, introduced a series of targeted support and regulatory policies covering the entire photovoltaic mounting‑structure industry chain, thereby unlocking benefits for the sector while setting a clear, compliance‑aligned path for its long-term growth.

Background to the Comprehensive Issuance of Industry Policies in the Photovoltaic Mounting Systems Sector by 2026

The series of industry policies on photovoltaic mounting systems issued in 2026 were not formulated out of thin air; rather, they were developed in response to the real‑world pain points experienced by the sector in recent years and aligned with the requirements of the third phase of the dual‑carbon goals, balancing two core priorities: industrial support and standardized regulation.

Review of Outstanding Issues in Industry Development as of 2025

By 2025, China’s installed photovoltaic capacity is expected to exceed 95 GW, driving demand for PV mounting systems to more than 20 million tons. Previously, issues such as uneven product quality, cutthroat price competition, and imbalanced regional capacity deployment have begun to compromise the long-term operational safety of downstream solar power plants. Regulatory authorities aim to guide the industry through policy measures to gradually optimize its supply structure.

Supportive Guidelines for Advancing the Dual Carbon Goals in 2026

2026 marks the sixth year since the dual‑carbon goals were announced, with the national target for non‑fossil energy to account for 21% of primary energy consumption having been raised. Consequently, the long-term operational efficiency requirements for photovoltaic power plants have been further tightened, placing higher demands on the wind‑load resistance, corrosion‑resistance, and tracking‑adjustment accuracy of PV mounting structures. Corresponding supporting policies have also been rolled out in tandem to steer industrial upgrading.

The policy rationale underpinning the stability of the upstream supply chain

Over the past two years, the prices of key raw materials for photovoltaic mounting systems—such as steel and aluminum—have experienced significant volatility, posing challenges to stable production in the industry. The recently introduced package of policies includes supporting measures aimed at ensuring a steady supply and stabilizing the prices of these critical inputs, thereby helping small and medium-sized manufacturers maintain predictable operating conditions.

Latest National-Level Subsidy Policy Details for Photovoltaic Mounting Systems

In 2026, the national-level subsidy policy for photovoltaic mounting systems will not be a blanket subsidy directly targeted at manufacturers. Instead, it will provide tailored incentives for compliant ancillary products based on the specific deployment scenarios of downstream PV projects, thereby guiding the industry toward higher‑value‑added, advanced technologies.

Subsidy standards vary across different types of photovoltaic mounting systems.

In the latest subsidy guidelines issued in 2026 by the relevant authorities, differentiated subsidy thresholds have been set for photovoltaic mounting systems based on their technological approaches. Specifically, smart tracking mounts and BIPV-integrated mounts receive relatively higher subsidies, while the subsidy threshold for conventional fixed mounts has been raised. The corresponding reference subsidy rates for each type of mounting system in 2026 are as follows:

Comparison dimension	Fixed-tilt photovoltaic mounting system	Smart Tracking Photovoltaic Mounting System	BIPV Integrated Photovoltaic Mounting System
Eligibility threshold for subsidy applications	Complies with the new national standard GB/T 19647.	Tracking accuracy within ±1°	Component integration rate ≥ 90%
Single-tile subsidy amount	0.03 yuan/watt	0.07 yuan/watt	0.12 yuan/watt
Maximum subsidy per individual project	800,000 yuan	2 million yuan	3.5 million yuan
Qualification Requirements	Third-party testing compliance report	Experience in implementing projects exceeding 10 MW in capacity	Building Component Certification Qualification

Full-process arrangements for the disbursement of subsidy funds

In 2026, subsidy funds for photovoltaic mounting systems will be jointly funded by the central and local governments in a 6:4 ratio. Payments will be reviewed and disbursed in two batches each year to prevent the recurrence of subsidy arrears seen in the past.

New Technical Access Requirements for the Photovoltaic Mounting Bracket Industry

The new national standard for photovoltaic mounting systems, which will be officially implemented in 2026, supplements the previous version with numerous performance‑testing requirements, thereby raising the industry’s technical entry threshold and helping to phase out outdated, low‑end production capacity.

Mandatory requirements for corrosion resistance testing

The new standard explicitly stipulates that photovoltaic mounting structures intended for coastal areas with high salt‑mist exposure must pass a 1,500‑hour salt‑spray test. For products used in typical outdoor environments, the corrosion‑resistance service life shall be no less than 25 years. Relevant test reports must be issued by a third‑party laboratory accredited with CMA certification, and products lacking compliant reports shall not be included on the procurement list for utility‑scale photovoltaic power plants.

Requirements related to carbon footprint traceability

Among the new policy requirements introduced in 2026, photovoltaic mounting products with a full‑life‑cycle carbon footprint of less than 2.3 kg/W will be given priority in bidding for large‑scale PV projects, while also encouraging manufacturers to use green‑smelted steel and aluminum materials to reduce carbon emissions across the entire value chain.

Policies on Market Supervision and Compliance in the Photovoltaic Mounting Systems Sector

In 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued a series of supporting policies that further strengthened quality inspections in the photovoltaic mounting‑structure sector and established clear penalty provisions to address the previously frequent issue of low‑priced, substandard products.

Regular scheduling of quality spot checks

Starting in 2026, quality spot checks on photovoltaic mounting‑structure products will be conducted quarterly, covering the nation’s major industrial clusters. Manufacturers that fail two consecutive rounds of such inspections will be placed on an industry blacklist and barred from participating in photovoltaic project tenders for the subsequent three years.

Rules related to anti‑low‑price competition

In 2026, industry associations, in collaboration with the competent authorities, will issue a benchmark for photovoltaic mounting‑structure costs. For companies whose bids fall significantly below this reasonable cost threshold, the relevant departments will conduct rigorous quality inspections to prevent substandard products from driving out high‑quality ones—a common problem in the industry.

A Comparative Review of Regional Support Policies in the Photovoltaic Mounting Systems Sector

In addition to nationwide unified policies, several domestic provinces that are hubs for the photovoltaic industry have also introduced targeted support measures tailored to their respective industrial characteristics, with subsidy levels varying across regions.

Special Support Policies for the East China Region

In Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and other regions, local photovoltaic mounting‑structure manufacturers have been granted technology‑upgrade subsidies of up to RMB 5 million.

Supporting Policies for the Northwest New Energy Base

In Qinghai, Gansu, and other regions, large-scale photovoltaic base projects that are developed locally receive additional regional subsidies for the procurement of supporting PV mounting structures, further reducing the overall construction costs of utility‑scale solar power plants.

Practical Steps for Photovoltaic Mounting System Companies to Benefit from Policy Incentives

Relevant enterprises can smoothly apply for the policy‑based subsidies for photovoltaic mounting systems by preparing the required documentation in accordance with the prescribed procedures. The key operational steps are as follows:

1. Verify your product’s qualifications in advance, confirm that they meet the technical threshold requirements of the applicable policies, and prepare key documents such as third-party test reports.
2. Coordinate with the local energy authorities to complete project filing and registration, and include the corresponding photovoltaic mounting products in the project procurement list.
3. Following the project’s grid-connection acceptance, submit the complete set of application documents to the government service window for preliminary review.
4. Once the public announcement period has concluded, you may claim the subsidy corresponding to your allocated amount.

Avoiding Common Filing Pitfalls

Many small and medium-sized manufacturers tend to miss the application deadline or fail to pass the review due to incomplete documentation. It is advisable to prepare the relevant qualification documents three months in advance to avoid last-minute issues.

Forecast of Future Policy Trends in the Photovoltaic Mounting Bracket Industry

Industry consensus holds that future policy direction in the photovoltaic mounting‑structure sector will continue to favor high‑tech, green, low‑carbon solutions, making it increasingly difficult for low‑value‑added, commodity‑type products to secure policy support.

Policy guidance for the smart technology sector

Going forward, photovoltaic mounting‑structure products equipped with intelligent monitoring capabilities are highly likely to become a key focus of policy support. Such solutions enable real-time, remote monitoring of the structures’ operational status, significantly reducing power‑plant O&M costs.

Policy arrangements for recycling

With regard to the recycling and reuse of mounting structures after photovoltaic power plants are decommissioned, corresponding supporting policies will also be introduced to guide the industry in establishing a green, circular system that spans the entire lifecycle.

This article was generated by AI and is for reference only.