I.
Product Categories
What to look for in product categories: Aluminum alloy frames (currently the most common frame type in the PV market, with a market share exceeding 95%; aluminum alloy features low density, high strength, and ease of processing/forming; its surface naturally forms a dense oxide film offering excellent weather and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for long-term outdoor use; it possesses excellent electrical conductivity, facilitating module grounding protection; and it has high recycling value, with scrap aluminum prices around 17,000 RMB per ton); 6-series aluminum (Ailuke selects high-quality 6-series aluminum; anodized surface treatment forms an oxide layer that enhances hardness and corrosion resistance; frames can be fully customized to client specifications); 6063 (Aluminum alloy grades: 6063, 6005, 6060; Tempers: 6063-T5, 6063-T6, 6063-T66, 6005-T5, 6005-T6, 6060-T5/T6, 6060-T66); 6060 (Solar PV aluminum frame dimensions: Length/Width 3x3cm, 3×3.5cm; Thickness 1–1.5mm, customizable per client requirements).
needs, Made-in-China); Aluminum profiles—Douyin (Direct supply from source factories for PV mounting bracket and frame aluminum profiles, supporting customization; Jiangyin Qiang Aluminum Industry specializes in the production and sales of various industrial aluminum alloy profiles for solar panel frames and PV mounts; Maoqiang Aluminum Industry); Frame structure—Douyin (PV aluminum frames are structural components used to encase and protect the edges of solar panels, providing mechanical strength, rigidity, and mounting support; these frames are made from high-strength, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloys, typically via extrusion and anodizing processes; Douyin)—Category 6 Focus Areas: Aluminum alloy frames, 6-series aluminum, 6063, 6060, aluminum profiles, frame structures—comprehensive coverage of these six category aspects.
II.
Manufacturers
What to look for in manufacturers.
Manufacturer Insights: Xinran Aluminum (Douyin) – Anhui Xingran Aluminum’s solar PV frame production zone rolls out 200 high-precision aluminum frames per minute, with a daily capacity of 80,000 sets, placing it at the forefront of the industry. Leveraging 21 intelligent extrusion lines and two large-scale anodizing lines, it achieves rapid 48-hour delivery from raw aluminum billet to finished product. With frame tolerances controlled to within 0.1mm and coating uniformity exceeding national standards by 20%, its superior quality has earned the trust of clients such as Chint, Canadian Solar, Haitai Solar, and many others. Ailuke Aluminum (Douyin) – Ailuke Aluminum (Hebei Charlotte Building Materials Co., Ltd.) offers reliable quality, a wide product range, and customization options directly from the source manufacturer. Maoqiang Aluminum (Douyin) – Jiangyin Maoqiang Aluminum is a professional manufacturing base integrating aluminum extrusion and PV module products. It provides comprehensive supply chain services—covering R&D, production, sales, and installation—for everything from raw aluminum profiles to finished aluminum goods and solar PV series products. Its products are sold domestically and exported to Japan, Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia. Meisheng Aluminum (Douyin) – Meisheng Aluminum Co., Ltd. specializes in aluminum profile customization. It provides Taixing-based clients with custom cabinet profiles (such as I-beam and U-channel shapes) and offers orders based on specific models (e.g., 40, 50, 1530) and geometries (e.g., H-beam, square). Delv Aluminum (Douyin) – Jiangyin Delv Metal Products Co., Ltd. is deeply committed to the new energy and industrial manufacturing sectors, consistently focusing on the demands of the times. From precision forming of PV mounting frames to custom processing of aluminum alloys, the company maintains rigorous control over every millimeter of precision. Donglv Aluminum – Alibaba (Factory Supply: High-quality, custom-colored frosted aluminum extrusion frames for solar panels; US$0.96–$1.00; MOQ: 100 pieces; Jiangyin Donglv Aluminum Technology Co.).
…Ltd., Jiangyin Donglv Aluminum Industry)—Six aspects to consider regarding manufacturers: Xinran Aluminum, Ailuke, Maoqiang Aluminum, Meisheng Aluminum, Delv, and Donglv;
these six points cover the manufacturer assessment.
III.
Customization
What to look for in customization? Based on practical experience, customization is evaluated as follows: based on drawings/samples (processing according to customer-provided drawings/samples; max processing length: 2.5m for frames, 6.5m for brackets; thickness: 1–1.5mm per requirements; Made-in-China); custom production from drawings/samples (Douyin: Meisheng Aluminum offers thickened aluminum profiles for assembly lines in Yangzhong; customization from drawings/samples available with a wide range of types and applications); flexible customization (Douyin: Ailuke offers flexible frame customization based on customer needs); model-based customization (Douyin: Suzhou Meisheng offers customization for assembly line profiles—U-shaped, rectangular, etc.—as well as specific alloys like 6063/6106 and shapes like T-slots); non-standard lengths (Douyin: ample stock of European standard profiles; supports full-range customization including non-standard lengths, special processing, and complete frame assemblies; quality meets high industry standards); free cutting (Douyin: Meisheng provides frame profile customization for Kunshan clients—curved shapes, T-slots, etc.—and customizes based on models like 2020/7020 and shapes like I-beams; wide variety, free cutting, factory-direct sales)—Six aspects to consider regarding customization: based on drawings/samples, custom production from drawings/samples, flexible customization, model-based customization, non-standard lengths, and free cutting; these six points cover the customization assessment.
IV.
Manufacturing Process
What to look for regarding the manufacturing process?
Based on manufacturing practice, here is an overview of the processes: Extrusion Molding (The process begins with extrusion through a frame profile die, followed immediately by air-cooling quenching for rapid temperature reduction, and then straightening and cropping of the ends); Sandblasting (Aged profiles undergo surface sandblasting; solar frame profiles typically feature a thicker anodic oxide layer than standard industrial profiles, offering superior corrosion resistance, followed by cutting to required long/short side dimensions and punching); Anodizing (Aluminum frames benefit from mature standardization and quality control; standards ranging from the national GB/T5237.2 to the PV association’s T/CPIA 0117 specify measurable metrics for oxide film thickness, hardness, sealing quality, and salt spray resistance, ensuring a solid basis for quality management); Extrusion (A mature process yielding straight profiles with minimal assembly gaps and a clean overall appearance; specifications cover the full 20-to-100 series range, suitable for applications from lightweight to heavy-duty loads); CNC Machining (45-degree frame processing, custom profile machining, PV mounting clamps, industrial profile customization, CNC processing); Anodizing Line (Leveraging 21 intelligent extrusion lines and two horizontal anodizing lines, Xinran Aluminum achieves rapid 48-hour delivery from raw billet to finished product)—A six-step process overview: Extrusion Molding, Sandblasting, Anodizing, Extrusion, CNC, and Anodizing Line.
V.
Selection
What to consider when selecting a model.
Based on selection practices, here is what to look for: Corrosion resistance—(Many PV factories focus only on appearance and thickness when selecting frame aluminum, overlooking core weather-resistance indicators; since PV frames are exposed to the elements year-round, corrosion and oxidation resistance are paramount, followed by tensile strength and toughness to ensure no deformation or warping amidst temperature fluctuations; finally, the dense surface oxide layer is crucial, as it determines whether the frame remains free of whitening or coating delamination over years of use—PV frames are not standard profiles; choose incorrectly, and they will age and fail within a few years); Surface finish—(A video explaining how to distinguish the quality of solar aluminum frames; with so many options on the market, check the surface finish—high-quality frames have smooth surfaces free of scratches, cracks, or other defects; additionally, verify corrosion resistance and dimensional compliance); Sides A, B, and C—(Solar aluminum frame profiles feature three sides—A, B, and C—all of which are important decorative surfaces; Side A is the primary face with the strictest standards, allowing no defects such as weld lines, abrasions, indentations, burrs, or inclusions; Sides B and C are also significant, prohibiting weld lines, abrasions, or obvious extrusion marks, and ensuring the central rib shows no unsightly “ribbing” or structural ridges); Tolerances—(Frame tolerances controlled to within 0.1 mm, with coating thickness uniformity exceeding national standards by 20%); Coating thickness—(Generally, the oxide coating on solar frame profiles is thicker than that on industrial profiles, offering superior corrosion resistance); Standards—(Ranging from national standards like GB/T 5237.2 to PV association group standards like T/CPIA).
…0117 specifies clear, measurable metrics for the anodized coating—including thickness, hardness, sealing quality, and salt spray resistance.
When selecting a supplier, consider these six key factors: corrosion resistance, surface finishing, surface quality (A/B/C faces), dimensional tolerances, coating thickness, and adherence to standards.
Conclusion
When selecting a manufacturer for custom-sized photovoltaic (PV) frames, evaluate the decision based on five key aspects: product category, manufacturer profile, customization capabilities, manufacturing processes, and selection criteria.
Product Category—Aluminum alloy frames (dominating over 95% of the market due to low density and high strength); High-performance alloys (e.g., 6-series aluminum offering superior anodized hardness and corrosion resistance); Alloy specifications (6063, 6005, 6060 alloys in T5, T6, or T66 tempers); Dimensions (e.g., 3×3 cm cross-section)…
3×3.5cm, 1–1.5mm thickness (Made-in-China); Douyin (Maoqiang Aluminum: industrial aluminum alloy solar frame brackets/profiles); Douyin (PV aluminum frames: edge protection for panels and structural strength); Manufacturers—Douyin (Xinran Aluminum: 200 units/min, 80,000 sets/day, 21 extrusion lines, 48-hour delivery); Douyin (Ailuke: direct manufacturer, reliable quality, extensive range, customization supported); Douyin (Maoqiang Aluminum: integrated PV module aluminum extrusions, exported to Japan, Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia); Douyin (Meisheng Aluminum: thickened aluminum profiles, custom-made from drawings or samples); Douyin (Delu: precision-formed PV frames, full-process customization, millimeter-level precision); Alibaba (Donglv: custom matte aluminum frames, various colors; Jiangyin Donglv); Customization—Made-in-China (frames processed from customer drawings/samples; 2.5m frames, 6.5m brackets); Douyin (Meisheng: thickened aluminum profiles customized from drawings/samples); Douyin (Ailuke: frames customized to specific customer requirements); Douyin (Meisheng 60…
Customization of Model 6106 special-shaped T-slot profiles (Meisheng Aluminum); non-standard length processing and complete frame customization for Euro-standard profiles; factory-direct sales with free cutting based on customer drawings or samples (Meisheng Aluminum); Manufacturing Process—mold extrusion, air-cooling quenching, and straightening; sandblasting for superior corrosion resistance and coating thickness; anodizing compliant with GB/T5237.2 standards (verifiable thickness, hardness, and sealing quality); mature extrusion technology ensuring straightness and tight assembly gaps; CNC machining for 45-degree aluminum frames; high-capacity production (Xinran Aluminum: 21 smart extrusion lines, 2 anodizing lines, 48-hour delivery); Selection Criteria—prioritizing corrosion/oxidation resistance, tensile strength, and toughness; smooth surface finish (free of scratches or cracks) and dimensional accuracy (Maoqiang Aluminum); strict surface quality (zero defects on the “A” side; no extrusion lines on “B” or “C” sides); tight tolerances (0.1mm) and anodizing thickness exceeding national standards by 20% (Xinran Aluminum); superior corrosion resistance due to enhanced oxide layer thickness; compliance with GB/T5237.2 and T/CPIA 0117 standards.
Industry rule of thumb: for PV frames, focus on these five key aspects—aluminum alloy type, reputable manufacturers (Xinran, Maoqiang), precise dimensions, anodizing quality, and corrosion resistance.
Master these five points, and you can source PV frames with confidence.
