Blind Rivets: The Essential Fasteners Powering Solar Panel Installations
In the rapidly expanding solar energy sector, the durability and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) systems are critical. While solar cells themselves capture attention, the fasteners that hold everything together play a vital, often overlooked role. Blind rivets, also known as pop rivets, are among the most crucial components ensuring the long-term structural integrity of solar arrays.
Solar panel installations utilize a variety of rivet types, each selected for specific applications based on material strength, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and installation efficiency.
Primary Rivet Types Used in Solar Applications
1. By Material:
The most common choice, typically grades A2 (304) and A4 (316) stainless steel.
Advantages: Superior corrosion resistance and high strength, capable of withstanding decades of harsh outdoor exposure—UV rays, rain, snow, and temperature extremes.
Applications:
Securing PV modules to aluminum mounting rails.
Connecting rails to support structures.
Attaching mounting clips, grounding lugs, and cable management channels.
Advantages: Lightweight, cost-effective, naturally corrosion-resistant, and compatible with aluminum structures (minimizing galvanic corrosion).
Applications:
Primarily for joining aluminum components, such as splicing rail sections or securing non-critical accessories.
Coated Steel Blind Rivets
Advantages: Galvanized or otherwise coated for moderate rust prevention and high shear/tensile strength at a competitive price.
Applications: Sometimes used in cost-sensitive, large-scale ground-mount systems for frame assembly (requires careful environmental assessment for long-term durability).
Copper or Aluminum Solid Rivets
Advantages: Excellent electrical conductivity.
Applications: Primarily used in grounding systems to reliably bond grounding wires to rails or frames, ensuring electrical safety and meeting lightning protection codes.
2. By Design & Function:
Open-End Standard Blind Rivets: The most common type for general structural connections.
Closed-End (Sealed) Blind Rivets: Feature a watertight tail, preventing moisture and dust ingress.
Applications: Locations with potential water leakage concerns or on electrical enclosures requiring sealing.
Structural Blind Rivets: Such as Multi-Grip or Bulbed rivets.
Advantages: Create a larger bearing surface on the blind side, offering enhanced tensile and shear strength for high-vibration environments.
Applications: Critical load-bearing connection points.
Grooved Rivets (e.g., Huck bolts): Installed with specialized tools, offering extreme strength comparable to bolted connections.
Applications: Key stress points in solar tracking systems.
Key Application Areas
Module-to-Rail Attachment: Typically uses stainless steel open-end blind rivets via mounting clamps.
Rail-to-Structure Connection: Uses stainless steel or structural blind rivets.
Frame Assembly: Uses stainless steel or coated steel blind rivets.
Grounding System: Uses copper or aluminum solid rivets.
Junction Box & Cable Tray Mounting: Uses stainless steel or aluminum rivets, with closed-end types for waterproofing where needed.
Selection Criteria
Corrosion resistance is paramount for a system lifespan exceeding 25 years.
Strength matching the mechanical loads (wind, snow, weight).
Material compatibility to prevent galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals.
Installation efficiency, where the one-sided installation of blind rivets offers significant advantages in tight spaces and field work.
In summary, stainless steel blind rivets (especially A2/A4 grades) are the industry standard in solar, supplemented by aluminum and specialty rivets. Together, they form the robust, long-lasting “skeleton” of every reliable solar power system.
For industry-leading blind rivet solutions engineered for the demands of solar energy, Fixpal provides a comprehensive range of high-performance products.
Visit us to explore our catalog and discover how we can strengthen your next project:
Build Stronger. Install Smarter. Power the Future.
Post time: Dec-22-2025
