Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Tube for Solar Mounting: Powering the World's First 1GW Offshore Solar Farm
Published: March 30, 2026 | Last Updated: June 3, 2026 , Senior Materials Engineer at SHANDONG PINJIE NEW MATERIAL CO.,LTD With 12 years of professional production and operation history, our company has focused on R&D and manufacturing of hot-dip galvanized steel products, supplying materials for 60+ solar projects across 12 countries worldwide.
On December 26, 2025, the global renewable energy industry witnessed a historic breakthrough: the Guohua HG14 project in Bohai Bay, the world's first 1-gigawatt offshore photovoltaic power station, achieved full-capacity grid connection. As reported by Sohu News, this "blue power plant" composed of 2,934 steel platforms generates 1.78 billion kWh of electricity annually, enough to meet 60% of the electricity demand of Kenli District. What is less known to the public is that SHANDONG PINJIE NEW MATERIAL CO.,LTD is the exclusive supplier of core structural materials for this super project. All the main support piles and auxiliary brackets of the project adopt our hot-dip galvanized steel tube for solar mounting, which has withstood the test of harsh marine environments with excellent performance.
Why Offshore Solar Projects Must Choose High-Quality Galvanized Steel Supports
In the past 12 years, we have served numerous solar projects in Southeast Asia, South America and other regions, and deeply understand the pain points that project owners face in harsh environments:
Ordinary carbon steel supports begin to rust within 3-5 years, leading to structural weakening and even collapse
Typhoon season causes large-scale damage to solar panels, resulting in months of lost project revenue
The service life of supports cannot match the 25-year lifespan of solar panels, requiring mid-term replacement and huge additional costs
These problems are particularly prominent in offshore solar projects. The Bohai Bay project, located in the Yellow River Delta, has to face triple extreme tests: high-concentration salt spray corrosion all year round, level 11 typhoons in summer, and sea ice impact in winter. This is precisely why corrosion-resistant galvanized steel solar post has become the only choice for offshore and coastal solar projects.
Our Galvanized Steel Tubes: The Solid Backbone of the Bohai Bay Super Project
At SHANDONG PINJIE NEW MATERIAL, we have been focusing on the R&D of solar-specific galvanized steel products for 12 years. Our solar panel mounting galvanized steel pipe is tailor-made for the harsh operating conditions of solar projects, and has been fully verified in the Bohai Bay project.
1. Industry-Leading Corrosion Resistance, Matching the 25-Year Lifespan of Solar Panels
Corrosion is the number one killer of offshore solar structures. Our 85μm minimum zinc coating galvanized steel pipe far exceeds the industry average of 60μm, and has passed the 1000-hour neutral salt spray test without red rust. This thick and uniform hot-dip galvanized coating forms a dual protection of physical barrier and electrochemical protection, effectively resisting the erosion of chloride ions in seawater.
In the Bohai Bay project, the steel piles we supplied are driven 30 meters deep into the seabed, and are exposed to saltwater, tides and marine organisms all year round. Our galvanized coating ensures that these piles maintain complete structural integrity throughout the entire service life of the project, perfectly matching the 25-year lifespan galvanized steel solar bracket and eliminating the need for mid-term replacement.
2. Super Strength, Withstanding Level 12 Typhoons and Sea Ice Impact
Our typhoon-resistant galvanized steel solar structure is made of high-strength steel with a minimum yield strength of 500MPa, which is more than twice that of ordinary Q235 steel. It can withstand wind speeds up to 35m/s, fully meeting the extreme weather resistance requirements of most coastal regions.
In the Bohai Bay project, this excellent strength allowed engineers to adopt an optimized 15-degree platform inclination design. This design not only maximizes sunlight absorption (increasing power generation efficiency by 5%-15% compared to land-based projects), but also effectively deflects sea ice impact in winter, ensuring the stability of the entire platform system.
3. Cost-Effective Solution, Reducing Project Overall Cost by 30%
Compared with aluminum alloy and stainless steel supports, our galvanized steel tubes provide the same or even better performance at a lower cost, reducing material costs by up to 30% for project owners. The Bohai Bay project leveraged this advantage to optimize the overall steel structure design, cutting steel consumption by 10% while ensuring safety, significantly reducing the project's upfront investment.
Global Verification: From Bohai Bay to the World, Our Products Are Trusted
The success of the Bohai Bay project is just a microcosm of our 12 years of deep cultivation in the solar industry. Our galvanized steel tubes have been widely used in various harsh environments around the world, and have won unanimous praise from customers.
Classic Case: Vietnam Solar Project Galvanized Steel Tube Application
Vietnam, with its tropical monsoon climate and frequent typhoons, is one of our core markets. A 50MW ground-mounted solar farm in central Vietnam, completed in 2023, fully adopts our Vietnam solar project galvanized steel tube for all main posts and support structures. In 2024, the project withstood a level 11 typhoon that caused extensive damage to nearby projects using inferior materials. Our supports achieved zero structural failures, ensuring uninterrupted power generation for the customer.
Leading Industry Standards
The technical solutions applied in the Bohai Bay project have been adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as an important reference for formulating global offshore solar standards. As a core material supplier, our galvanized steel product standards are also being promoted globally, helping more countries develop offshore solar energy resources.
Quick Selection Guide for Solar Project Galvanized Steel Tubes
Based on 12 years of project experience, we have summarized the following selection standards to help you quickly choose the most suitable products:
| Project Type | Recommended Outer Diameter | Recommended Wall Thickness | Minimum Zinc Coating Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Rooftop Solar | 21.3mm - 60mm | 2.0mm - 2.5mm | 85μm |
| Large Ground-Mounted Solar Farm | 114mm - 200mm | 3.0mm - 6.0mm | 85μm |
| Coastal/Offshore Solar Projects | 114mm - 200mm | 4.0mm - 8.0mm | 100μm+ |
| High Wind/Snow Load Areas | 114mm - 200mm | 4.0mm - 8.0mm | 85μm |
Our Service Advantages
Full Customization: We can customize the diameter, wall thickness and length (up to 12 meters) according to your project design, and the delivery time for customized orders is 15-20 days
Small Order Friendly: We accept small batch orders to meet the needs of distributed solar projects
Free Sample Support: We provide free product samples for you to conduct quality and performance tests before placing an order
Professional Technical Guidance: Our engineering team provides one-on-one technical support throughout the entire process from product selection to installation
Practical Installation Tips
If on-site welding is required, please use zinc-rich paint to repair the welding area in time to restore the anti-corrosion performance
For buried posts, ensure that the galvanized coating extends at least 30cm above the ground to prevent corrosion at the soil-air interface
It is recommended to conduct regular inspections every 2-3 years to detect and deal with potential problems in time
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the service life of your galvanized steel solar supports? A: Our hot-dip galvanized steel tubes have a minimum service life of 25 years in normal environments and 20 years in coastal high-salt areas, which is completely consistent with the service life of mainstream solar panels.
Q: Do your products meet international standards? A: All our galvanized steel products strictly comply with ASTM A653 and JIS G3302 international standards, and can easily pass local project inspections.
Q: How does galvanized steel compare with aluminum alloy for solar mounting? A: Galvanized steel has higher structural strength and lower cost than aluminum alloy, and is the most cost-effective choice for large-scale utility solar projects. While aluminum alloy is lighter, it cannot match the load-bearing capacity and impact resistance of steel in extreme weather.
Q: Can you provide project-specific design support? A: Yes, our senior engineering team can provide customized material solutions and structural optimization suggestions according to your project's load requirements and environmental conditions.
Build a Reliable Solar Project with SHANDONG PINJIE NEW MATERIAL
For 12 years, SHANDONG PINJIE NEW MATERIAL CO.,LTD has been committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective hot-dip galvanized steel solutions for the global solar industry. From the world's first 1GW offshore solar farm in Bohai Bay to typhoon-prone regions in Vietnam, our products have withstood the test of various harsh environments and helped customers achieve long-term stable returns.
