MMS (Module Mounting Structure)
The module mounting structure is the steel or aluminium framework that fixes panels to the roof or ground at the design tilt. Structure quality decides whether a plant survives 25 years of wind and monsoon.
Indian practice uses hot-dip galvanised steel (IS 4759, 80+ micron coating) or marine-grade aluminium, designed for site wind speed per IS 875. Elevated RCC-roof structures preserve terrace use and enable bifacial gain.
In More Depth
Two ratings are often confused: the structure’s wind rating (km/h, designed to IS 875 Part 3) and the panel’s own mechanical load rating (Pascals). They are separate checks — see rooftop solar structural safety and wind loading for how to read both, and why anchoring is usually the weakest link.
Galvanised steel versus aluminium is the main material choice: steel is cheaper but depends on coating thickness, while aluminium costs more and resists corrosion — compare them in GI vs aluminium structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does MMS stand for in solar?
- MMS stands for module mounting structure — the frame that holds solar modules at the right tilt on a roof or on the ground.
- How thick should the galvanising on a solar structure be?
- Indian practice calls for hot-dip galvanising of about 80 microns (IS 4759). A thin or uneven coating is a common corner-cut that shows up as corrosion after a few monsoons.
Related Terms
Part of the HUM Solar Glossary — 75+ plain-language definitions for India’s solar ecosystem, maintained as a neutral reference. Browse all terms →
Found this useful? Send it to someone planning solar.