What should be checked before selecting solar mounting fasteners for a corrosive site?

Start with a site-specific corrosion assessment covering marine salt, humidity, airborne pollutants and moisture in soil or water. Then ask a corrosion-experienced engineer to review the metals and contact points in the complete mounting and fastener assembly. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that PV frames, fasteners and racking can be vulnerable to corrosion, including galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. Follow the project design and component manufacturers’ instructions; do not assume one fastener material or grade suits every site, or substitute components without approval.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, “Managing and Mitigating Solar PV Corrosion” (https://www.energy.gov/cmei/femp/managing-and-mitigating-solar-pv-corrosion); “Life Cycle of Photovoltaic Systems: Install and Commission a Photovoltaic System” (https://www.energy.gov/cmei/femp/life-cycle-photovoltaic-systems-install-and-commission-photovoltaic-system).