Why Zinc Coating Thickness Matters More Than Most EPC Contractors Realize

When a coastal solar project starts showing rust after only a few years, the solar panels usually get blamed first.

But in reality, the failure often begins underneath the modules—inside the mounting structure.

We've seen projects in Southeast Asia where mounting brackets began showing severe corrosion within 4–6 years because the galvanizing layer was too thin for the environment.

Once corrosion starts, maintenance costs rise quickly:

▸ Structural strength decreases

▸ Bolts seize or loosen

▸ Replacement work becomes difficult

▸ Project ROI drops significantly

For EPC contractors, the difference between a 65μm and an 85μm zinc coating can determine whether a mounting system lasts 10 years or 25 years.

65μm vs 85μm: What's the Actual Difference?

Many suppliers advertise "hot-dip galvanized" brackets.

However, galvanizing quality varies significantly.

Why Coastal Projects Need 85μm Galvanizing 

Consider a typical solar project located near the coastline of:

▸ Cebu

▸ Batangas

▸ Davao

▸ Subic Bay

▸ Palawan

These regions experience:

▸ High humidity year-round

▸ Strong UV exposure

▸ Salt-laden winds

▸ Frequent typhoons

▸ Heavy monsoon rainfall

Under these conditions, zinc coating gradually sacrifices itself to protect the steel beneath.

A thicker zinc layer simply provides more protection over a longer period.

For this reason, many international developers now specify galvanizing thickness of ≥85μm for coastal PV projects.

How Beifang Group Manufactures Coastal-Grade PV Brackets 

At Beifang Group, galvanizing is not outsourced.

We operate seven dedicated hot-dip galvanizing production lines, enabling full control over coating quality and consistency.

Our manufacturing facility also includes:

▸ 4 electrostatic powder-coating lines

▸ 7 hot-dip galvanizing lines

▸ 10 steel roll-forming production lines

▸ 2 epoxy zinc-based coating lines

▸ 2 Swiss-imported plastic coating lines

▸ 1 high-strength steel production line

Annual production capacity:

▸ 1.5 million tons of galvanized steel products

▸ 45 million accessory sets

▸ Capacity sufficient for over 5,000 km of infrastructure projects annually.

Which Should You Choose? 

If your project is located:

✔ Inland

✔ Low humidity area

✔ Short project life requirement

65μm galvanizing may be sufficient.

However, if your project is located:

✔ Near the coast

✔ On islands

✔ In typhoon-prone regions

✔ In Southeast Asia or Middle East C4/C5 environments

85μm galvanizing is usually the safer long-term investment.

The upfront cost difference is relatively small.

The lifecycle savings can be enormous.

Talk to Our Engineering Team

If you're evaluating PV mounting systems for coastal projects in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, or UAE, contact our export engineer Wendy Yang directly:

WhatsApp: +86 195 2695 8693

Email: xinhui@bfgroup-tomex.com

For active projects, we provide:

1. Free quotation with material recommendation

2.Sample production within 7 days

3. Third-party inspection support before shipment

—— Shandong Beifang Group | Manufacturer since 2010