Jessica Lawrence-Vaca, Author at ARRAY Technologies /author/jessica/ Generating energy with integrity. Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:07:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Array-Just-Array.svg Jessica Lawrence-Vaca, Author at ARRAY Technologies /author/jessica/ 32 32 RE+ 2025 Insights: What Developers and Owners Want from Utility-Scale Solar /blog/re-2025-insights-what-developers-and-owners-want-from-utility-scale-solar/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:07:30 +0000 https://vfd.pfz.mybluehost.me/?p=18674 At RE+ 2025, one theme seemed to dominate every conversation: how utility-scale solar EPCs, developers and owners can work with partners they trust to deliver projects that are cost effective, insurable, and built to last. Whether the challenge is extreme weather, maximizing system uptime, or meeting domestic content requirements, the industry is focused on reducing... Read more »

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At RE+ 2025, one theme seemed to dominate every conversation: how utility-scale solar EPCs, developers and owners can work with partners they trust to deliver projects that are cost effective, insurable, and built to last. Whether the challenge is extreme weather, maximizing system uptime, or meeting domestic content requirements, the industry is focused on reducing risk and protecting returns.

What stood out to me the most was that the solutions drawing the most attention weren’t flashy gimmicks—they were customer-centered technologies that directly address real-world project pain points. From PV trackers that can withstand record hailstorms to foundations that cut grading time, the future of solar resilience is about helping our EPC and developer partners hit project timelines, lower costs, and help maximize energy generation over the life of the project.

ARRAY was part of that story. Across sessions, interactive tracker demos, and customer meetings, we shared how our latest advancements—like ARRAY DuraTrack Hail XP™, improved ARRAY SmarTrack® software and integrations, and APA’s foundation systems—are being deployed on projects to help reduce O&M costs, simplify construction, and increase energy production.

Here are the team’s biggest takeaways from RE+ 2025 and how ARRAY is working alongside our customers to address them:

  • Seamless Compatibility with our Foundation Solutions
  • Weather Resilience Is No Longer Optional
  • Domestic Content Is Now a Decisive Factor in American Solar Project Success
Crowd standing on RE+ tradeshow floors listening to a presenterRE+ 2025, Day 2 of the trade show, September 10, 2025

Seamless Compatibility with our Foundation Solutions

The challenge: Selecting the right foundation is crucial to fostering a solar plant’s long-term reliability. Site owners, developers, and EPCs should carefully pair solar trackers with the right foundation to withstand harsh weather and challenging soil conditions.

The solution: With APA’s foundation expertise now part of ARRAY, we’ve simplified tracker-to-foundation integration, delivering a robust solution for solar projects, particularly in regions with difficult soils and terrain. APA specializes in advanced foundations and interfaces designed for solar trackers, engineered to excel in rocky soil, frost-heave areas, and other tough environments. ARRAY, a global leader in solar tracker technology, is known for its durability, reliability, and efficiency in maximizing energy production. As one company, we provide a seamless, high-performance solution for solar projects in even the most demanding conditions.

Why it matters: At RE+ 2025, customers were eager to hear about the combined expertise of ARRAY and APA. We’re presenting solar project developers and EPCs with a premier tracker + foundation solution to meet any challenging conditions, including rocky, frost-prone, undulating, and tough terrains.

Weather Resilience Is No Longer Optional

The challenge: Hail and wind are no longer “edge cases”—they’ve become central to procurement, insurance, and bankability decisions. Developers, insurers, and long-term asset owners are all demanding systems that can withstand increasingly volatile weather.

The solution: ARRAY’s resilience portfolio—including Hail XP, ARRAY SmarTrack® Hail Alert Response, and ARRAY’s patented passive wind stow—delivers automated stow, advanced monitoring, and field-validated performance while reducing production loss caused by high wind events. High-angle trackers combined with thicker module glass can reduce risk exposure by as much as 90% in high-hail regions, while our focus on “confidence of stow*” helps ensure systems respond reliably when it matters most. Furthermore, ARRAY, since inception, has designed our trackers to withstand high wind loads at full tilt. Site owners can stow with confidence for both hail and wind without increasing the number of piles or the strength of the foundations. Hail XP, SmarTrack Hail Alert Response, and passive wind stow provide site owners with a robust portfolio to handle the worst scenarios that Mother Nature can present.

Why it matters: Weather risk was one of the most discussed topics across panels and customer meetings during the show. On “The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on PV Design” panel, Evan Nichols, ARRAY’s director of technical sales, emphasized that resilience is now a baseline requirement—not an add-on. Paul Brown, managing partner with The Baldwin Group, reinforced that premiums are a math equation: lower risk = lower cost. And the industry-wide call for more granular field data underscored a clear trend—projects that can prove resilience through validated performance and real-world data will have a strategic edge in securing financing and lowering insurance costs.

*Note: “Confidence of stow” refers to the probability that a tracker system will successfully move to and maintain its protective position during a weather event. Higher confidence = greater assurance the system will respond as intended when it matters most.

Crowd of people standing in the ARRAY tradeshow booth

RE+ 2025, Day 1 of the trade show, September 10, 2025

Domestic Content Is Now a Decisive Factor in American Solar Project Success

The challenge: Developers are under increasing pressure to prove domestic content—not only to qualify for IRA incentives, but also to secure community acceptance and reduce exposure to global supply chain volatility.

The solution: ARRAY can now offer trackers that deliver 100% of the domestic content Assigned Cost Percentage (ACP) under the U.S. Treasury Department’s latest guidance (Notice 2025-08, issued January 2025). This capability is backed by a validated third-party “should” level opinion and certifications from our supply chain partners to help mitigate procurement risk.

Why it matters: The message from developers has been clear: domestic content is a decisive factor in enabling customers to maximize their tax credits. The Emerald Green Solar project in Indiana, developed by ENGIE North America, is already providing a real-world case of how ARRAY’s fully domestic trackers can support both project economics and community benefits.

Looking Ahead

Overall, what stood out to me the most was how unified the conversation has become around a few core priorities:

  • reducing risk,
  • integrated solutions under the panel, and
  • ensuring projects perform for the long haul

Whether the topic was weather resilience, domestic content or integrated solutions, the common thread was clear—EPCs count on ease of install and owners want confidence that their investments will stand up to real-world pressures and keep delivering value.

As I look ahead, the way I see it, ARRAY’s role will be to continue supporting our customers, anticipating challenges, validating performance, and designing solutions that make projects more resilient.

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Power Moves on Two Continents: Intersolar EU and CLEANPOWER 2025 Provide a Jolt of Energy for the Future of Solar /blog/power-moves-on-two-continents-intersolar-eu-and-cleanpower-2025-provide-a-jolt-of-energy-for-the-future-of-solar/ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:26:49 +0000 https://vfd.pfz.mybluehost.me/?p=17934 From Munich to Phoenix, May 2025 was a month of momentum for utility-scale solar. ARRAY was on the ground at two of the year’s most influential industry gatherings—Intersolar Europe and ACP CLEANPOWER—where conversations around product innovation, policy, and project execution pointed toward one clear trend: the future of solar is being built today.   Intersolar... Read more »

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From Munich to Phoenix, May 2025 was a month of momentum for utility-scale solar. ARRAY was on the ground at two of the year’s most influential industry gatherings—Intersolar Europe and ACP CLEANPOWER—where conversations around product innovation, policy, and project execution pointed toward one clear trend: the future of solar is being built today.

 

A group of ARRAY team members pose together for a photo in front of the ARRAY booth at Intersolar Europe, beneath a bold blue-and-yellow overhead display and in front of a large screen reading “From Supply Chain to Site Design.”

Team ARRAY showed up in full force at Intersolar Europe, connecting with industry leaders and showcasing how our end-to-end solutions—from supply chain to site design—deliver unmatched value for utility-scale solar projects.

Intersolar Europe: Smarter Tracking for a Global Market

At Intersolar Europe in Munich, ARRAY introduced the enhanced ARRAY STI H250™, now equipped with ARRAY SmarTrack® for backtracking and diffuse light optimization. These upgrades reflect what developers around the world are looking for: tools to improve energy yield and reduce exposure to weather-related losses—especially in complex terrains and variable climates.

We had the chance to speak with international EPCs and partners about how SmarTrack’s automated capabilities can help mitigate shading, improve project bankability, and support long-term asset performance. The feedback confirmed what we’ve been hearing globally: utility-scale solar isn’t slowing down, and smart technology that reduces risk is no longer optional—it’s expected.

 

Jessica Lawrence-Vaca speaks on stage during a CLEANPOWER panel discussion, seated across from moderator MJ Shiao.

Jessica Lawrence-Vaca and MJ Shiao on stage during the “Clean Energy Manufacturing: The Great American Comeback” panel at CLEANPOWER.

ACP CLEANPOWER 2025: Manufacturing, Policy, and the Path Ahead

Back stateside in Phoenix, the conversation shifted to U.S. policy and domestic content. During the “Clean Energy Manufacturing: The Great American Comeback” panel hosted by ACP’s MJ Shiao, I had the opportunity to discuss ARRAY’s new Albuquerque manufacturing facility and our expanded domestic supply chain.

ARRAY is now offering 100% U.S. domestic content trackers under Table I for delivery in 2025, built with U.S. steel and components sourced through trusted domestic partners. A milestone that reflects both our investment in American manufacturing and our commitment to meeting customer and policy expectations head-on.

Meanwhile, ARRAY engineers Mudassar Zahoor and Sumanth Varma Lokanath presented on our latest wind and hail stow strategies, a critical area of innovation as weather volatility rises. Their presentations highlighted how smart engineering—not just regulation—is key to long-term project resilience.

Whether at our booth or during in-depth conversations with attendees, the excitement was palpable. Developers, insurers, and investors were all asking how policy, product, and performance are converging—and what that means for the next generation of solar.

What These Events Show Us

From Europe to the U.S., we saw firsthand that the energy transition is global—but the challenges are local. Projects need solutions that perform under pressure, on any terrain, and in any regulatory environment.

At ARRAY, we’re delivering that flexibility through decades of experience, a growing global footprint, and field-proven innovation. Whether it’s high-wind sites in Texas, hail-prone regions in Australia, or terrain-adaptable layouts in Brazil, we’re focused on helping our partners unlock more energy, more safely—with fewer tradeoffs.

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Key Takeaways from RE+ 2024: Innovation and the Future of Solar /blog/key-takeaways-from-re-2024-innovation-and-the-future-of-solar/ Mon, 07 Oct 2024 17:17:11 +0000 https://vfd.pfz.mybluehost.me/?p=16746 The overarching theme at RE+ 2024 for ARRAY and our customers was innovation—across products, systems, and approaches. As the solar industry continues to scale, innovation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

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The overarching theme at RE+ 2024 for ARRAY and our customers was innovation—across products, systems, and approaches. As the solar industry continues to scale, innovation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

This year, ARRAY showcased some of our latest advancements, including the new ARRAY DuraTrack with SkyLink™ & ARRAY OmniTrack with SkyLink™ and the highly anticipated 77° tracker, which promises to set new benchmarks for hail protection and wind mitigation.

I was able to experience the event as both an exhibitor and a speaker and I wanted to share my top takeaways from the week, which I believe will have a lasting impact on the solar industry.

Photos from the 2024 ARRAY booth at RE+.

 

ARRAY’s 77° Tracker: Setting New Standards in Hail Protection

We kicked off the week by announcing our groundbreaking 77-degree stow capability, a feature that sets a new benchmark in hail protection for solar tracker systems. As weather patterns grow increasingly unpredictable and insurance companies raise their standards for risk management, our industry needs to be proactive in safeguarding solar assets.

The 77-degree high-tilt tracker is designed with this in mind and will offer superior protection not only against hail but also high winds. The integration of our proven ARRAY SmarTrack™ Hail Alert Response software allows solar panels to stow quickly and effectively before a hail event strikes, reducing the potential for damage and safeguarding valuable investments.

3D printing of ARRAY's upcoming reusable packaging.

 

Sustainability on Display: Our Reusable Packaging Initiative

RE+ also gave us the opportunity to spotlight another important innovation—our new reusable packaging solution. Designed to reduce waste and enhance efficiency, this packaging reflects our commitment to sustainability and streamlining supply chain operations.

By replacing traditional cardboard with durable plastic casing, we’re enabling our customers to reduce their environmental footprint while improving logistics. With the potential to last up to 15 years, this packaging innovation significantly reduces the number of trucks required for transport and cuts labor costs associated with material handling.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers highlights the industry’s growing focus on sustainability—not just in the energy produced but in every aspect of the supply chain.

ARRAY team visiting the ASGA booth.

ARRAY team visiting the ASGA booth.

 

Agrivoltaics: Merging Solar and Agriculture

Another standout moment from RE+ was seeing the growing interest in agrivoltaics—an exciting intersection of the solar industry with agricultural practices. Agrivoltaic practices, such as solar grazing, offer a winning solution for managing vegetation while maximizing land use and creating new revenue streams for farmers and agricultural communities.

At the conference, we were fortunate to have our solar trackers featured in a live agrivoltaic demonstration in collaboration with the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA). This demonstration, showcasing sheep grazing beneath solar panels on our ARRAY STI H250™ solar tracker, highlighted the potential of agrivoltaics to reduce the need for mechanical mowing and herbicides, all while benefiting local farmers.

The conversations sparked by this display underscored the exciting potential for agrivoltaics to scale across the industry, enhancing both sustainability and community engagement in solar projects.

Jessica Lawrence-Vaca (CENTER) speaking as part of the the “Integrated Insights Across U.S. Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains” panel.

 

Looking Ahead: Expert Insights from U.S. Manufacturing Leaders

Personally, one of the best parts of RE+ was the chance to engage with thought leaders and policymakers on the key challenges and opportunities facing our industry. As a panelist on the “Integrated Insights Across U.S. Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains” panel, I had the honor of representing ARRAY as the original American solar manufacturing success story and discussing these critical issues alongside experts (and friends) such as Justin Baca from SEIA, Cora Dickson from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Kelly Speakes-Backman from Invenergy, and Arthur Haubenstock from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The conversation highlighted the pressing need to strengthen domestic manufacturing and the importance of supply chain resilience, especially as demand for solar products continues to rise. While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has given a significant boost to U.S.-based solar manufacturing, challenges such as tariffs and supply chain bottlenecks persist. At ARRAY, we are committed to working closely with policymakers to ensure that the regulatory environment supports the growth of domestic manufacturing, job creation, and community development. Please see the article in Utility Dive to go deeper into the conversation.

RE+ 2024 was a powerful reminder of how far the solar industry has come—and how much potential we have yet to unlock. From the unveiling of ARRAY’s 77° tracker to our commitment to sustainability through initiatives like reusable packaging and agrivoltaics, our industry is innovating at an unprecedented pace. However, to realize the full potential of these advancements, we must continue to foster collaboration across sectors, from government and industry to local communities.

The insights and discussions from RE+ 2024 will undoubtedly help us navigate this dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape, propelling us toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future. By leveraging innovation, partnerships with our customers and industry partners, and sound policy support, ARRAY is well-positioned to continue leading the charge toward a cleaner, more reliable energy grid.

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