A mount design’s utilization rating indicates how much of the mount is being utilized compared to its available capacity. It is the comparison of forces affecting the frame, pole, and foundation and the capacity it can deliver.
Factors like the wind and snow loads for the location and the tilt, size, and configuration of the solar array significantly impact this rating. It is represented as a percentage to show how much of the mount’s potential capability would be utilized if subjected to the most extreme site conditions. For example, 75% utilization means the mount’s design can provide an additional 25% capacity before its ability to withstand environmental forces is exhausted.