Hot Dipped Galvanizing (HDG) for solar projects has significant advantages and a wide range of applications. The following are the characteristics of hot dip galvanizing:
Corrosion resistance and long service life: Hot-dip galvanizing provides excellent protection against corrosion by immersing the steel in molten zinc to form a homogeneous and dense layer of zinc-iron alloy that effectively isolates the steel from direct contact with the environment. This protective mechanism is not only applicable to ground-mounted PV racks, but also to underground piling foundations, giving them a service life of decades or even more than 75 years in a variety of corrosive environments.
Reduced Maintenance Costs: Hot-dip galvanized steel is virtually maintenance-free, which is especially important in solar projects, many of which are located in remote or inaccessible locations. By using hot-dip galvanized steel, the cost and time associated with frequent repairs can be significantly reduced.
Adaptation to harsh environments: Hot-dip galvanized steel can withstand extreme temperatures and UV radiation, and is suitable for highly corrosive environments such as deserts and coasts. Its corrosion resistance is 3-6 times higher than bare steel and its pitting corrosion rate is 4-20 times lower in the same environment.
Environmentally Friendly Features: The hot-dip galvanizing process uses zinc and steel that are both recyclable and natural elements, and the manufacturing process produces less waste, which is environmentally friendly. In addition, the zinc coating does not limit the recyclability of the steel, further enhancing its environmental benefits.
Economic Benefits: Despite the higher cost of the hot-dip galvanizing process, its long-term durability and low maintenance requirements make it an economically superior choice. Especially in solar projects that require long-term stability, hot-dip galvanized steel can significantly reduce life cycle costs.
Technological innovation and application: With the progress of technology, the hot dip galvanizing process is also constantly innovating. For example, by adding alloy additives and rare earth elements, the organization uniformity and corrosion resistance of the galvanized layer can be improved, further enhancing its application in special environments.
The use of hot-dip galvanizing in solar projects has significant advantages that make it one of the materials of choice for solar infrastructure construction. For example, POWERACK's helical ground piles are made of hot-dip galvanized steel, which offers excellent corrosion resistance, long life, low maintenance requirements, environmental features and economic benefits.