Project Spotlight | Hokkaido On-Site: Carbon Steel vs. Heavy Snow

On the vast snow-covered plains of Hokkaido, Japan, Grace Solar has successfully completed a ground-mount PV power plant project. Located at the northern tip of Japan, Hokkaido experiences long, harsh winters and ranks among the highest in Japan for annual snowfall, with some areas seeing snow depths exceeding 2 meters. This extreme climate places exceptionally high demands on the load-bearing capacity and low-temperature toughness of PV mounting structures. Unlike most of Grace Solar' s projects in Japan, which utilize aluminum alloy mounts, this large-scale application of carbon steel ground-mount systems provides a tailored solution for Hokkaido' s severe environment.

Carbon Steel Load-Bearing: Withstanding Heavy Snow

With prolonged snow accumulation in Hokkaido, Grace Solar' s carbon steel ground mounts rely on their superior yield strength and flexural rigidity to stably bear the pressure of heavy snow. Furthermore, to address foundation frost heave issues caused by spring freeze-thaw cycles, the carbon steel columns, combined with deep foundation design, effectively resist the upward forces generated by frozen soil expansion—ensuring the entire array remains level and stable after snowmelt.

Corrosion Resistance & Wide Temperature Range: Adapting to Extremes

Although Hokkaido experiences severe winter cold, coastal areas are still affected by sea breezes in summer. Grace Solar' s carbon steel mounts utilize zinc-aluminum-magnesium (ZAM) steel, offering excellent anti-corrosion performance and more stable long-term protection, while maintaining low-temperature impact toughness and long-term salt-spray resistance. Simulated tests confirm that the system maintains structural safety across an extremely wide temperature range, covering Hokkaido' s full annual temperature extremes.

Local Collaboration: Efficient Delivery

Throughout project implementation, Grace Solar worked closely with local Japanese engineering teams, strictly adhering to JIS standards and relevant building codes to ensure full compliance—from geological surveying and foundation construction to mount installation. Given Hokkaido' s short winter construction window, the mounts were designed with modular configurations and pre-assembled connection points. With efficient collaboration from the local team, the project was successfully grid-connected within the expected timeline.

The successful application of Grace Solar' s carbon steel ground-mount system in Hokkaido validates its technical reliability under extreme snow loads and freeze-thaw conditions. This large-scale deployment of a carbon steel solution also enriches Grace Solar' s product portfolio in the Japanese market. Looking ahead, Grace Solar will continue to provide more diverse and precise mounting solutions tailored to Japan' s different climate zones, supporting the steady and sustainable development of clean energy across the Asia-Pacific region.