TL;DR: PV mounting systems are the foundation of every solar installation — exposed to weather, panel weight and dynamic loads for 20+ years. Proper engineering determines long-term reliability, installation speed, warranty terms and total cost of ownership. This guide covers 5 selection criteria, 4 installation types, indicative 2026 pricing, and how to choose for your project.
Why PV mount quality matters
A PV mount is not a commodity metal structure. A properly engineered system:
- Withstands 20+ years of sun, rain, snow, wind exposure
- Resists 150-200 kg static load per panel row
- Handles dynamic loads from wind pressure and snow loading
- Does not loosen, warp, or corrode
- Allows fast installation so labor cost stays reasonable
A mount 20% cheaper but needing replacement at year 8 is worse than a premium 20-year warranted solution. Especially for commercial >100 kWp projects, replacement cost is prohibitive.
5 selection criteria
1. Coating class (most important)
Corrosion-protection method defines steel lifespan:
- Hot-dip galvanization per EN ISO 1461 — 65-85 μm zinc coating. 50-70 years lifespan in typical Greek climate.
- Pre-galvanized (Sendzimir Z275 or Z350) — 20-25 μm continuous-line coating. 25-30 years. Good for rooftops.
- Magnelis ZM430 — advanced coating with 3% Al + 3% Mg, self-healing on scratches. 2-3x lifespan vs standard galvanization.
- Cold-rolled without coating — avoid. Rusts in 3-5 years.
Always request the steel technical fiche and coating certification.
2. Static calculations per Eurocode
For ground mount >50 kWp and rooftop >30 kWp, the manufacturer must provide:
- Static report per Eurocode 1 (loads) and Eurocode 3 (steel) or Eurocode 9 (aluminum)
- Snow load class matching your installation zone (Greece: 0.4-1.7 kN/m²)
- Wind load class at least 100 km/h, ideally 130 km/h
- Pull-out tests for ground mount on specific soil types (SPT, CPT)
3. Manufacturer warranty
Warranty shows manufacturer confidence in the product:
- <10 years — avoid
- 10-15 years — acceptable for residential
- 20 years — premium standard (Axinar Axisol Roolf, Terrasol 1V/2V)
- 25+ years — top-tier
Read the terms carefully: several manufacturers exclude coastal areas (<500m from sea) or require annual inspection.
4. Installation speed
Labor cost in commercial PV is 30-40% of mounting budget. Modular systems with pre-assembled clamps and tool-free connections cut installation time by 40-50%. Every Axinar mount is designed with emphasis on:
- Minimal installation tools required
- Adjustable tilt without disassembly
- Snap-in clamps
- Standardized bolt patterns compatible with standard panels
5. Local support & spare parts
Greek manufacturing brings significant long-term project management advantages:
- Spare parts within 1-3 business days from Thessaloniki
- Technical support in Greek and English
- Custom solutions for unusual projects (agrivoltaics, solar carports, unusual roof geometries)
- No import duties / longer shipping times
4 PV installation types
Rooftop
Divided into 3 sub-types:
- Tile roof — rail-based systems with roof hooks. Requires attention to waterproofing. Axinar Axisol Roolf: hooks for tile, universal design.
- Metal roof — clamp systems without penetration (on trapezoidal or standing seam profiles).
- Flat roof — ballast systems (without membrane penetration) or through-membrane for structural applications.
Ground mount
Two main variants:
- Monopile (single post) — one post per panel row. Economical, fast, suitable for homogeneous soil. Axinar Terrasol 1V.
- Dipile (double post) — two posts per row, greater stability. Essential in irregular soils or large spans. Axinar Terrasol 2V.
A geotechnical study (SPT/CPT) is essential before any ground mount >100 kWp.
Agrivoltaics
Ground mount 2-4m above ground with an open pattern that allows crop cultivation underneath. East-West orientation (rather than south-facing) maximizes plant/animal production, with 15-20% less energy output. Axinar Agrophotovoltaics East-West.
Solar carport
Parking canopy structure that generates energy. Requires civil engineering for foundations (concrete), custom design per site. Axinar manufactures custom solar carports with fiber laser cutting and galvanized structural steel.
The Axinar product line
| Project type | Axinar product |
|---|---|
| Residential tile roof (5-15 panels) | Axisol Roolf |
| Residential metal roof | Axisol Roolf (metal roof variant) |
| Commercial rooftop (30-100 kWp) | Axisol Roolf |
| Ground mount medium (100 kWp-1 MWp) | Terrasol 1V or Terrasol 2V |
| Ground mount large-scale (>1 MWp) | Terrasol 2V |
| Agrivoltaics East-West | Agrophotovoltaics East-West |
| Solar carport | Axinar custom (fiber laser + galvanized steel) |
Certifications across all products: EN ISO 1461 (hot-dip galvanization), Qualicoat (powder coating), EN 1090 (steel structures). 20-year manufacturer warranty. Official Delem service center.
Indicative 2026 pricing
Per kWp of installed power (materials only, excluding installation):
- Tile roof: €45-75/kWp
- Metal roof: €40-65/kWp
- Flat roof (ballast): €55-85/kWp
- Ground mount monopile: €60-95/kWp
- Ground mount dipile: €75-115/kWp
- Agrivoltaics East-West: €120-180/kWp
- Solar carport: €180-280/kWp
Pricing depends on volume, geographical zone and specifications. Request a custom quote for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the right PV mount for your project
Axinar manufactures the full range (Axisol Roolf, Terrasol 1V/2V, Agrophotovoltaics East-West, custom carport) in Thessaloniki with 20-year warranty, EN ISO 1461 hot-dip galvanization and Eurocode static report on every project.
