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 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.

The post Power Moves on Two Continents: Intersolar EU and CLEANPOWER 2025 Provide a Jolt of Energy for the Future of Solar appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The post Key Takeaways from RE+ 2024: Innovation and the Future of Solar appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

But what if we could make small-scale utility solar projects even more productive? This blog post delves into how ARRAY can help transform the landscape of small-scale utility solar in Australia and what makes ARRAY an indispensable tool for EPCs, developers, and investors alike.

The Rise of Small-Scale Utility Solar in Australia

Australia’s vast landscapes and abundant sunshine make it an ideal setting for solar energy projects. Recently, there has been a significant uptick in the interest and development of small-scale utility solar installations. As more of these solar installations come online, they offer a myriad of benefits, including:

• bolstering the grid’s resilience,
• promoting decentralised power generation, and
• reducing transmission losses.

But the question remains: How can we amplify their output and efficiency?

ARRAY Technologies: The Key to Unlocking Solar Potential

Solar trackers use cutting-edge technology to follow the sun’s path throughout the day as it rises and sets to maximise exposure and increase energy production. There’s a reason ARRAY is a global leader in producing reliable solar trackers: our solutions are specifically designed to optimize the performance of utility-scale solar—be it large or small-scale.

Designed for Durability and Efficiency

ARRAY’s solar trackers are not just about optimizing sunlight exposure, they’re built to withstand Australia’s uniquely challenging weather conditions. From the scorching heat of the Outback to coastal regions battered by strong winds, these trackers are engineered for resilience.

ARRAY’s patented passive wind-stow system eliminates the need for communication systems, batteries, and additional power sources while ensuring reliable performance in any location. This innovative feature allows trackers to adjust based on actual wind loads experienced by each individual row, placing the system in a safer position during wind events.

Cutting Costs, Boosting Yields

The true beauty of ARRAY’s technology lies in its ability to enhance energy yield while driving down the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The integration of smart technology enables real-time adjustments to panel positioning, helping to optimize energy capture throughout the day.

With a capacity exceeding 100 modules per row and innovative features like terrain adaptability and zero scheduled maintenance, ARRAY’s trackers are redefining efficiency. The advanced tracking capabilities of our trackers, coupled with our SmarTrack solutions for backtracking and diffuse lighting conditions, ensure that small-scale projects are not just viable, but highly profitable.

ARRAY’s Track Record in Australia

ARRAY isn’t just another player in the solar industry—we’re a trusted partner with a proven track record. A few key projects we’ve helped develop across Australia include:

• Neoen’s Narromine Solar Farm: A testament to ARRAY’s robust technology, facilitating enhanced energy production in a challenging environment.
• Trundle Solar Farm: Demonstrating ARRAY’s ability to deliver tailored solutions that maximize efficiency and sustainability.
• CS Energy’s Kogan Creek Hydrogen Pilot Plant: Highlighting the versatility of ARRAY’s technology in supporting innovative energy projects.

Supported by a dedicated local team specializing in engineering, project delivery, and service, ARRAY is ideally positioned to tackle projects of any size or complexity.

The ARRAY Advantage for Developers and Investors

For those looking to harness the power of small-scale utility solar, ARRAY offers an unbeatable combination of expertise and innovation. Whether you’re a developer aiming to maximize project efficiency or an investor in search of dependable, cutting-edge solar solutions, ARRAY has the expertise and technology to help you succeed.

We not only deliver cutting-edge solar tracking solutions—we provide comprehensive support throughout the project lifecycle. From initial design and engineering to post-installation service, ARRAY’s commitment to excellence ensures project success and long-term sustainability.

For developers and investors, partnering with ARRAY means access to a suite of advanced tools and expertise that can transform the economic landscape of utility-scale solar projects. Learn more about how ARRAY can support your next project by contacting our team today.

With advanced tracking technology, a focus on reliability, and a portfolio of successful projects, ARRAY is the partner of choice for developers and investors looking to capitalize on the solar boom.

The post Unlocking the Potential of Small-Scale Utility Solar with ARRAY Technologies appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

At ARRAY, we’re proud to be the first solar tracker company to establish local manufacturing operations in Australia. Our position allows us to support solar projects as well as contribute to the growth of the region’s economy by creating new job opportunities.

ARRAY has been awarded the first tracker supplier contract under the Victorian Renewable Energy Target 2 (VRET2) auction, which aims to increase renewable energy manufacturing and help Victoria achieve its goal of 100% renewable electricity consumption for its operations by 2025.

The VRET2 initiative is expected to generate 920 direct jobs and attract $1.48 billion in new renewable energy projects in Victoria. A key VRET2 project is the Glenrowan solar farm, and ARRAY is playing a pivotal role by supplying solar trackers for the 130MWdc site.

ARRAY’s local manufacturing capabilities within Australia

In partnership with our local manufacturers, ARRAY has established facilities in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. These facilities manufacture high-quality tracker components, such as our unique octagonal torque tube, global central structure, brackets, and foundations, using more than 95% local steel content.

We’ve also established additional local Australian manufacturing partners in New South Wales, Melbourne, Victoria, and Whyalla, South Australia. These partnerships are not only promoting the Australian solar industry but also creating up to 120 new full-time employment positions, supporting local businesses and community initiatives, and reducing environmental impact through sustainable logistics.

ARRAY also works with local manufacturing partners that support local businesses by:

• Partnering with First Nations Communities
• Offering scholarships to help build a sustainable future through a Greensteel Academy | GFG Alliance
• Offering an Aboriginal trainee program
• Working with Indigenous Supply Australia (ISA) – an Indigenous-owned and operated supplier

ARRAY’s Australian-made solar trackers provide several advantages, ensuring a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for solar farm developers. These benefits include quality adherence, local support, environmental benefits, customization, local job support, enhanced performance, cost-effectiveness, superior quality control, and shorter lead times.

6 Unique features of the ARRAY DuraTrack® solar tracker

As one of the planet’s most topographically and climate-diverse places, flexibility and reliability are major points of interest when developing a utility-scale solar farm. These six unique features of the ARRAY DuraTrack® make it an ideal solution for solar developers and EPCs.

1. High power density: 100 modules per row and higher density (more production per square meter) than our closest competition.
2. Leading terrain adaptability: ARRAY’s adaptable system follows natural land contours while creating the highest possible power generation.
3. Fewer components and greater reliability: 167 times fewer components than competitors mean higher reliability and superior uptime.
4. Failure-free wind design: Only tracker on the market that reliably handles wind events with a fully passive, mechanical wind-load mitigation system.
5. Zero scheduled maintenance: Unparalleled uptime track record (99.99%).
6. SmarTrack® Optimization Technology: Intelligently adjusts modules per weather and site conditions to increase energy harvest by up to 5%.

ARRAY’s dedication to delivering quality products and services

Beyond local manufacturing, we also provide local engineering services, including complete solar farm layout design, foundation design, PVSyst yield analysis, and grading analysis; geotechnical, topography and flooding assessments; installation supervision and on-site training; hot commissioning, after-sales service and warranty, and spare parts management.

Contact ARRAY today to discover how we can contribute to your Australian solar project.

The post Australian Manufacturing Operation: More Local Jobs, Fewer Emissions appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

Not only do ARRAY trackers help maximize solar farm performance, but they also bring a wealth of additional benefits that set them apart in the global market.

Here are 10 reasons ARRAY solar trackers are capturing the limelight in Australia.

1. 1. Exceptional Quality: ARRAY solar trackers from our Australian manufacturing operation are designed and constructed to comply with Australia’s stringent standards for quality and safety. The result? A reliable and durable product you can trust.
   2. Local Support: Choosing an ARRAY solar tracker from our Australian manufacturing operation means access to expert local support and maintenance. This can help ensure the tracker performs at its best and that any issues are quickly resolved.
   3. Eco-Friendly: ARRAY solar trackers are produced using sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact. An investment in these devices is also an investment in the planet.
   4. Reduced Carbon Footprint: Opting for a solar tracker from our local Australian manufacturing lowers the carbon footprint from manufacturing and logistics. Avoiding lengthy transportation decreases emissions and energy consumption, making our trackers an environmentally sound choice.
   5. Customizable: The ARRAY tracker, produced within our Australian manufacturing hub, can be customized to meet project-specific needs, whether that’s in terms of size, design, or functionality. This can help ensure the best possible solar tracker performance.
   6. Supporting Local Jobs: Choosing ARRAY solar trackers assembled in Australia bolsters local businesses and job growth. It’s an investment with tangible benefits for the community and the economy.
   7. Enhanced Performance: ARRAY trackers from our Australian manufacturing operation are engineered to withstand the unique Australian climate, including extreme temperatures, high winds, and varying soil compositions. This helps provide improved performance in even the most challenging environments.
   8. Cost-effective: ARRAY trackers from our Australian production line are more reliable and require less maintenance, which can help reduce ongoing costs. Although the upfront cost may be slightly higher than imported materials, the long-term benefits to our local communities outweigh the initial investment. ARRAY solar trackers are designed to utilize existing proven and long-lasting steel fabrication industries in Australia. This means having greater confidence in the quality and durability of the product while reducing ongoing costs.
   9. Strict Quality Control: ARRAY local manufacturers can closely monitor and control the quality of their products, ensuring that they meet strict ARRAY standards for safety and performance. This can help reduce the risk of product defects or failures, which can be costly and disruptive to the end user.
   10. Shorter Lead Times: Local manufacturing means shorter lead times. With key components sourced locally, delivery times are slashed, enabling quicker project completion and faster solar farm activation.

In a nutshell, the ARRAY solar trackers we make in Australia are a comprehensive offering for utility-scale solar developers and EPCs. These trackers stand tall, delivering superior quality, with the comfort of local support and stringent quality control.

Their eco-friendly nature, coupled with a significant reduction in carbon footprint, makes them a sustainable choice. Customization to project-specific needs and the promise of enhanced performance under Australia’s diverse environmental conditions are impressive added benefits.

Choosing the trackers from ARRAY’s Australian manufacturing operation is not just a smart decision—it’s a sustainable, economically sound choice that delivers reliable results under Australian conditions. These trackers truly embody the adage: think globally, act locally.

So, for your next solar farm project, consider the trackers from ARRAY’s Australian manufacturing operation—they are shining brighter for a reason.

The post 10 Reasons ARRAY Trackers are Lighting Up the Australian Market appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

From the start, ARRAY has been strategic and intentional about building and maintaining robust domestic supply chains, which has allowed us to deliver consistent value to our clients and partners. This approach has proven to be a significant competitive advantage for us.

Global supply chains are only as strong as the weakest link. As we saw with COVID-19 disruptions, instability due to the invasion of Ukraine, and other geopolitical dislocations, the global supply chain was destabilized in recent years, causing logistical delays and bottlenecks worldwide.

During the height of disruptions, we all saw that, “landing costs”—the cost of sourcing key materials overseas plus the time and logistics it takes to ship product by sea to the United States—became extraordinarily expensive. So, while global supply chains faced ongoing challenges, ARRAY successfully navigated these hurdles in large part, by prioritizing our domestic sourcing capabilities. Our clients and partners can trust that we will consistently deliver high-quality products and services.

Moreover, we need to be mindful that future global circumstances can bring a return to the disruptions we all experienced in recent years. Additional considerations, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), that incentivize domestic productivity drive additional requirements. With our strategy and well-structured supply chain, we are confident that ARRAY is positioned to meet the growing demand for procurement and supply.

We know customers have a choice when selecting a partner for their utility-scale solar projects. As you consider tracker suppliers, here are four questions you should be asking through the lens of the IRA and the state of the global supply chain:

1.  How much of your tracker is sourced utilizing domestic U.S. steel?
2. Does your tracker supplier have multiple U.S. domestic sources for key components to reduce and mitigate risks?
3. How robust is your tracker suppliers’ ESG policies and are they able to supply green steel?
4. Does your tracker company partner with you to meet budget and ensure quality products and on-time delivery of a project?

How much of your tracker is sourced through domestic U.S. steel?

Provisions within the IRA seek to encourage greater reliance on U.S. steel, rather than foreign sources. Because of the strength of our supply chain providers, ARRAY procures 85% of its steel from domestic sources—far higher than the target levels we expect the IRA to stipulate.

Does your tracker supplier have multiple U.S. domestic sources for key components to reduce and mitigate project risks?

When unexpected events happen, they create havoc and uncertainty throughout the supply chain. Relying on a single primary source for key project components creates significant risk that extends across cost and schedule horizons for projects.

That’s why ARRAY has worked to mature its supply chain to minimize single sourcing. We’ve built strong relationships with multiple suppliers for core components of our products. This allows us to scale capacity from trusted supply partners, which translates to greater certainty for our clients.

How robust are your tracker suppliers’ ESG policies, and are they able to supply green steel?

At ARRAY, we take immense pride in collaborating with a diverse set of partners who share our passion for clean energy and belief in environmental protection. These partners include leading U.S. steel producers equally committed to Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Our strong partnerships allow us to primarily use recycled materials in the U.S., further solidifying our commitment to sustainability.

These high-profile relationships emphasize our commitment to supporting domestic industries and showcase our strategic diversification, ensuring that we are not solely reliant on a single source. This reinforces our supply chain resilience while enhancing our capacity to deliver on our ESG objectives.

Furthermore, our partners deploy cutting-edge techniques, such as the Electric Arc Furnace technology. This modern method enables significant reductions in emissions, ensuring the steel we source supports our business objectives and aligns with our core environmental values. Hence, we are proud to say that our steel sourcing strategy is robust and environmentally conscious.

Does your tracker supplier partner with you to meet your budget and ensure quality products and on-time delivery of a project?

ARRAY believes in a transparent approach to pricing. Our team keeps a close eye on economic trends that affect the cost of the materials we use for our projects. We share this information with our customers in real-time so that they can stay informed about the state of the steel and aluminum industries and understand how it might impact their project costs.

And ARRAY is ISO certified, which ensures products are going to be consistent and high-quality, project over project and year over year. This provides a layer of insulation against potential disruptions—and enhances the ability of clients’ projects to hit timeline delivery targets.

ARRAY’s Commitment to Strong Supply Chains and Trusted Partnerships

It’s more important than ever to have strong and robust supply chains and work with partners committed to doing well by doing good. A tidal wave of new industry projects is coming that will increasingly require domestic sourcing of materials. This is thanks largely to the IRA, with its ten years of investment tax credits and regulatory certainty for renewable energy production. Because of our significant head start on strengthening domestic supply chains, ARRAY has staked out a strategic and competitive advantage in the marketplace.

We’re grateful for the strong collaboration and trusted partnerships we’ve developed with source suppliers. ARRAY has diligently worked to align manufacturing capacity to meet our customers’ needs. A strong and robust supply chain built on relationships with multiple sourcing partners will continue to set ARRAY apart and better serve the needs of our industry in the future.

The post 4 Questions to Consider When Picking a Solar Tracker Supplier  appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

It was such a great conversation. You can watch the full webinar embedded below or keep reading for some key takeaways from our discussion, including:

• recent changes in U.S. policy concerning utility-scale solar,
• guidance needed to unleash progress,
• thoughts on module availability,
• future of solar development,
• challenges surrounding severe weather, and
• some great questions from attendees.

Recent changes in U.S. policy concerning utility solar

The passing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will help stabilize supply chain issues over the long run, creating increased optimism in developers and financiers.

Wood Mackenzie reported a 29% decrease year over year in deployment of utility-scale solar from 2021 to 2022.

Sylvia shared that two reasons for this are:

1. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)
2. Start of an anti-circumvention investigation by the US Department of Commerce

These factors led to several gigawatts (GW) of modules being detained by Customs and Border Protection, and many projects were pushed to 2022 and 2023. These factors will continue to affect the industry in the short term, but analysts at Wood Mackenzie are confident they will work out in the long term.

Further guidance needed to unleash progress

Developers are trying to choose between the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) tax credit transferability, among other variables. Like how steel will be treated under the ITC, or what qualifies as “domestic source” for different materials, to name a few. Knowing which variables—or combination of variables—can be implemented can change each site’s projected revenues.

That’s why federal entities need to provide further guidance on various requirements. This guidance will help even out the supply-and-demand imbalance and fill in tax planning gaps for financing solar projects.

Thoughts on module availability

As suppliers fall in line with UFLPA compliance, production should ramp up this year or early in 2024. This will help stabilize the supply-and-demand imbalance.

Customers must look at designs with multiple modules because they can’t secure modules, or the modules may fall through. It’s been a challenge from a project timing perspective.

From a design and planning perspective, ARRAY works with customers who ask us to model around different module types because it’s possible they’ll get partials, or the modules may change.

We’ve seen demand for this kind of design go up exponentially. So, we’ve automated the way we do our designs to keep up with customer needs while ensuring the same quality of review for each design.

One ARRAY DuraTrack® advantage is that it’s fully module agnostic. By not predrilling holes in the tracker torque tube, it’s able to fit any specific module currently on the market. This allows us to confidently design around multiple modules knowing that the core bill of materials for the tracker won’t change.

Future of solar development: a prediction for next 3–5 years

From a developer’s standpoint, there’s no shortage of off-taker customers, but projects in ideal locations with flat, even land in mostly sunny places are less available. We need to continue to find cost-effective solutions to deal with ever-more-challenging terrain and subsurface conditions including the introduction of our new flexible terrain tracker, the ARRAY OmniTrack.

This new tracker allows one degree more flexibility in the north-south slope change with the torque tube. That allows our customers to cut down on costly grading and maintains the site’s natural foliage for a less invasive installation.

At ARRAY, we’re continuing to prioritize lower lead times and consistent deliveries for customers. We’ve expanded and locked in our logistics carrier and have alternatives in place if congestion issues arise.

We’ve expanded our supply base with multiple options, so we’re not relying on a single source. Not only are we able to do some of the manufacturing in-house, but we have manufacturing and suppliers around the world. Our global supply plan is essential to our ability to respond quickly to the unexpected.

Challenges surrounding severe weather

Large hail and 50-year winds are occurring more frequently, causing problems with the insurability of many sites. The entire industry needs to address this reality and develop technological solutions rather than addressing it through insurance alone.

Where other tracker companies fall short is that they rely on a lower angle degree stow position for wind, which is not necessarily best for hail. ARRAY’s wind mitigation position occurs at the highest tilt level, 52°, which is also optimal for hail. Using ARRAY SmarTrack software, this mitigation can happen remotely or manually to help protect our customer’s sites.

For projects in the North and Midwest U.S. regions, our SmarTrack system also has an active stow response in case of snow. It detects snow and moves to 52°. Once enough snow melts, it moves the tracker back to normal tracking with no damage to the modules.

Audience Question:

For tracker evaluation, have the operation and maintenance (O&M) needs been considered when comparing them to fixed-tilt racking?

Art shared that 15 years ago, EDF was nervous about trackers because of the O&M component. Now, most of EDF’s sites use trackers, and two of the reasons include:

1. trackers have led to better production, and
2. the ability to move and stow trackers during severe weather far outweighs any potential O&M costs.

Our goal with DuraTrack is zero maintenance. This includes design features like sealed gear boxes that don’t require lubrication and parts that are tested for the lifetime of the site. With their improved reliability, increased throughput, and the low cost of ownership of trackers, our trackers are more advantageous compared to fixed-tilt systems even in the kilowatt range.

ARRAY’s perspective on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the future

As Sylvia said during the webinar, “The panorama looks bright for solar despite the challenges around needing clarity from the IRS.”

The IRA is intended to drive interest in renewables—solar in particular—and create more U.S. jobs. So, it’s a good thing, but it’s complicated to navigate right now.

Creating a U.S.-based supply chain from scratch has been challenging for many companies. Thankfully, at ARRAY, we’ve been building our strong U.S. supply chain for 30+ years, which reduces risk for developers.

However, the government still needs to provide information on what is required for traceability to the entire industry. With that understanding, we can help customers and capitalize maximally on Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) benefits.

Overall, it’s an exciting time but also challenging. Everyone is ready to go and waiting for that starter pistol of clarity to go off.

Sign up below and be the first to know about ARRAY’s next webinar!

The post Solar Developers and Tech Innovators Adapt to Policy Changes appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

1. The importance of a solid, reliable supply chain, and 
2. The increased demand for solar energy—and utility-scale solar sites. 

We are living in a pivotal time. The world continues to grapple with climate change and its impacts on the planet, and the growth of the clean energy industry has never been more critical.  

These past few months, the ARRAY team and I had the pleasure of attending two of the renewable energy industry’s largest and most important industry conferences—RE+2022 in California, U.S. and All-Energy in Melbourne, Australia. 

Erica Brinker (5th person in from the left), with the ARRAY team at All-Energy AU 2022.

It’s been three years since these conferences were last held in person, and there was a noticeable buzz at each as major players from the clean energy industry reunited. 

Even though the shows were on two separate continents, both markets agreed that the future is bright for renewable energy, especially solar.  

Building More Utility-Scale Solar Requires a Solid, Reliable Supply Chain 

RE+ 2022 is North America’s largest and most comprehensive conference for the renewable energy industry. And the questions on all attendees’ minds seemed to be about needing more robust and regionally diversified supply chains to meet our industry’s continued growth.  

Thankfully, ARRAY already has a long-standing and mature U.S. domestic supply chain with a strong record of execution including the ability to source up to 90% of our products domestically. So, we were able to use our well-established domestic content and partnerships to answer attendees’ questions with confidence as we navigate the unknown waters of the opportunity that the IRA bill brings to the industry.  

Our longstanding domestic supply chain continues to be important to us as a U.S.-based manufacturer and now its even more important to our customers with the incentive that the IRA bill brings. 

Not only do we strive to have the shortest and most reliable lead times in our industry, but ARRAY uses U.S. steel mills and partners with suppliers that source green steel from the U.S. Even so, we’re constantly improving on better ways to serve our clients and work with industry partners committed to clean energy solutions.  

The RE+ conference brought together the industry’s top executives and innovative companies from around the world. We were grateful for the chance to share how ARRAY plays a significant role in building the clean energy future. At the show, we not only celebrated the huge public policy win of the IRA bill, but also introduced our newest utility scale offerings, the ARRAY OmniTrack  as well as the ARRAY STI H250 trackers to the U.S. market.  

The Future is Bright for Solar as Demand Continues to Grow 

RE+ set a high bar ahead of All-Energy Australia, but it did not disappoint. The 2022 Australian event was the largest ever held, with a record number of attendees, more than 300 exhibitors, and more than 200 speakers at panels and presentations. 

We had a lot of great discussions with clients and partners concerning local market conditions and the opportunities for 2023 and beyond.  

ARRAY has been operating in Australia since 2017, with over 2 gigawatts of projects deployed in-country. We have offices in Sydney and employees throughout the region. We’re well-positioned down under to help Australia meet their solar energy goals by offering more of ARRAY’s products to the market.  

The Australian government plans to generate 95% of energy from renewables by 2035. Given the distance of Australia from other major regions and wide-open geography, the country is ideally suited for solar, which could provide much-needed infrastructure support to the more remote areas. The country is also focused on developing domestic content requirements in some states. This has created an opportunity for ARRAY to boost its supply base in the country and be closer to where our customers’ projects are. 

Learn more about the full suite of ARRAY Products. 

Many clients and industry partners shared that there is growing international interest in “mega projects,” in part because Australia’s geographic location provides the ability to supply energy not only for itself but also to other APAC countries. One innovation that could help make these projects more feasible is automation.  

For some local projects, there are still challenges to be managed. For example, delays in grid interconnection issues remain a sticking point for new solar projects, as in other global regions.  

Whether it’s a collection of smaller projects, one large project, or grid delays, the ARRAY team looks forward to continuing conversations with strategic customers to help generate energy with integrity.  

With its geographic location, natural resources, and innovative industry technologies like ARRAY’s solutions, Australia is ready to take its place as a global leader in the clean energy space. The future is as bright in Australia as in Southern California, and ARRAY is ready to do our part to advance the clean energy future for our customers and citizens worldwide. 

All around the world, the growth of the solar industry can be seen, and the excitement is palpable. ARRAY Technologies is proud to be at the center of the energy transition all over the world. These are exciting times! 

The post Two Solar Trends That Aren’t Going Away appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

The pandemic created logistical quagmires for many commercial industries — and solar is no exception. To mitigate the increasing cost of running a utility-scale solar project, many owners and operators have switched their focus from CapEx to operations and maintenance (O&M). This turning of attention to quality system components that perform better and last longer increases efficiency and reduces expenses in the long run.

Low Cost Needs to Meet High Sustainability

The use of solar trackers at new utility-scale solar sites has grown to over 70% in the United States. But while the increasing quantity of solar trackers in the field is driving the need to look deeper into O&M, other market forces are pushing the case to open up the books even further. Of course, owners or investors are always looking for ways to increase their ROI, but

the call to do so in sustainable ways has grown louder in recent years. For the industry to answer that call, Wood MacKenzie, formerly Greentech Media Research (GTM), estimates that utility solar plant costs need to be cut in half by 2030. But with the rising cost of materials and labor, not to mention shipping, how will site operators make that happen?

O&M to The Rescue

Pre-COVID, market costs were trending down. Commodities were stable, and electronics and logistics costs were steady for around 5–7 years. Now, almost two years into the pandemic, costs continue to soar — with no end in sight. It would be easy to blame COVID for all of the unpredictable challenges site operators have seen in their efforts to cut costs. But it wouldn’t be too far off. Many of the processes and protocols that used to run seamlessly have come to a halt. We are all familiar with the logistical nightmares of shipping container shortages, port congestions and global supply chain bottlenecks.

Companies are looking more at O&M as a viable cash-saving strategy to outsmart these challenges. Why? Because cutting CapEx can use less proven, lower-cost components, often presenting reduced reliability and even more cost-uncertainty. Besides, in a world where there are so many things we can’t control, it makes sense to reduce costs in an area where we can.

Engineered for Simplicity And Savings

Under normal circumstances, it’s important to utilize trackers that require fewer electrical and electromechanical components for operation to minimize risk and failure points. Under the current circumstances, reliability becomes even more critical. Labor costs are rising worldwide, so maintenance is more expensive. Global logistics is a significant issue, and getting new parts or modules is extremely difficult. Plus, relying on the accuracy or timeliness of an international supply chain is not ideal for any company right now.

ARRAY believes in “Engineered simplicity,” and that maxim is proving to be more relevant than ever. We’ve engineered our products to be tough but simple — fewer moving parts means fewer maintenance problems. If your trackers are more reliable, you’re less reliant on external parts or services. We’ve also been deliberate about our suppliers, building out the industry’s most robust domestic supply chain so the unpredictability of a global infrastructure doesn’t hamstring our customers.

Proven long-term asset performance and trusted reliability are important factors to consider, all of which contribute to achieving the lowest cost of ownership of a solar tracker system in the industry. To learn more about how ARRAY can help you lower O&M costs, click here.

The post How Keeping It Simple Can Lower O&M Costs appeared first on ARRAY Technologies.

Much of large-scale solar technology development happens behind closed doors. Engineers in laboratory settings, tucked away from sight, calculating and generating the next big solutions.

You may have seen the news about us launching our ARRAY Tech Research Center. In this post, we’ll share more details about exactly why this center is so groundbreaking and exciting.

The research center is a testing ground for engineers, developers, and EPCs to get hands-on experience exploring different challenges encountered on the ground at a site-by-site level.

The importance of this ground-level experimentation goes hand in hand with ARRAY’s perspective on covering all aspects of research. We’re believers in both modeling and testing in the real world. Rob Rowan, senior vice president of engineering operations at ARRAY, put it this way:

“It’s the difference between developing in a vacuum or modeling first and then testing in the real world. We’re not building and breaking until it works, [instead, we’re] modeling first to catch any obvious flaws and then testing in the lab and in real-world settings.”

The tech research center allows for this testing in a collaborative way. It allows time and a dedicated space to hear about customer challenges for individual sites and situations. This is important because it’s easy to think that we’ve thought of everything when we make an incremental change to a tracker or to a specific component on the tracker, but until you get that real-world voice from the customer, you don’t know for sure.

There are two sets of people who really benefit from the center. One group is developers and forward-thinking EPCs interested in things like future-generation trackers, looking at the interface with larger modules, etc. The other group is strictly EPCs who are interested in the constructability and the mechanics of essentially building a tracker.

Both of these groups tell us how much of a difference it makes to physically try out equipment and processes versus a proposal that is written in PowerPoint decks. It essentially brings theory to life and makes planning more tangible.

A Testing Ground for Specific Conditions

ARRAY’s vice president of strategic product marketing, Jon Sharp, used module size as an example of a problem we can troubleshoot at the center.

“One of the things we do at the research center is build our existing trackers and our future generation trackers, and we can then disassemble and rebuild, and come up with the most efficient way to install certain components.

“In the case of large modules, we can try assembling with different numbers of people on the crew, try assembling with the module on the ground, or on equipment, or something along those lines, and [then we can] figure out what we think is the fastest, safest, and most efficient way to install these different components,” Sharp said.

Using the center in this way makes tailoring solutions to specific people and their unique problems more precise.

Collaborative Problem-Solving in Partnership with Customers

Collaboration is a key aspect of the research center. Different approaches to procedures can be tested and compared, and pros and cons can be evaluated between engineers and customers to explore construction efficiencies.

Another example of how we’ve been collaborating recently is our work with EPCs who are either brand new or have construction experience but just haven’t built out solar before. This is happening a lot at the moment because there’s a capacity/supply shortage of EPCs in the industry right now.

There’s no substitute for getting out there and having EPCs put their hands on our tracker and see them actually built.

We can see the light bulbs going off in their heads as they visualize how they can build these sites. They’re taking notes; they’re thinking about how they’re going to stage the different material on the sites. We’re not only hearing the voices of existing customers, but we’re also working with new customers, especially as new EPCs enter the marketplace. We’ll only see more of that over the next two years.

Jon Sharp hit on the possibility for the center to work as a training ground for installers: “With no time pressures [and] no production schedule, the center is a space where engineers can relay information on how things are intended to fit together and where installers can try it out in real-time.”

Rob Rowan said he sees the center standing out as a hub of innovation for future-gen PV tech as a whole. This is happening through extending our collaborative efforts not only to customers, but also to suppliers and partners.

He also summed up the importance of collaboration nicely when he talked about how the ability and willingness to collaborate over the next five years and beyond will separate the true innovators in the utility PV industry from those who are willing to carry on with the status quo.

Intersection of the ARRAY Tech Research Center and the Future of Utility PV Tech

When asked, Jon Sharp talked about the short-term outcomes of the research happening at the center. He noted how, considering that utility-scale solar development cycles can run anywhere from six months to three years, projects that are only just now being conceptualized by developers will benefit when it’s time to break ground. They’ll benefit from the exact actions we’re taking today at the research center.

“They’re planning their price points three years from now to be lower; they’re planning for their installation efficiencies to be better. And they’re banking on people [working in companies] like ARRAY coming to the forefront with better ways to do things by the time those lines intersect a couple of years out,” said Sharp.

Since one objective of the research center is to showcase new technology, the tech in the center will constantly evolve. It will become a rotating site for the freshest ideas and their real-world applications.

“We’re also prioritizing looking at things on a component level in addition to an overall new product level. Incremental changes in tracker advancements, as well as improvements on components, are all important.

“Those incremental updates are really crucial. They’re key for our customers from an efficiency standpoint, and for us from a cost standpoint. The overall market is driving decreases in costs. One way to do that is to make our existing tracker and our existing components less costly by refining them,” Sharp continued.

Making Connections That You Just Can’t on Zoom

This quote below from Jon Sharp gives a clear picture of what we’re doing at the research center and why we’re so thrilled about it:

“This research center is in close proximity to our engineers, [and] it really just affords them an opportunity to go try things, [and perhaps try again] and fail, and [it] really gives them a laboratory to improve our technologies going forward.

“And that’s really important. It’s one thing to do it in a lab and on a computer, but it’s a lot different when you put a hard hat, a set of safety goggles, and safety shoes on, and you go out and you have to install things. It really allows our engineers a great place to be creative.

“Our customer base is excited about it; it’s a great place to talk about ideas, and there’s nothing like looking at the actual hardware to bounce ideas around, because your brain will see things in the real world that it won’t see on a Zoom meeting or something else. It really puts some reality around the creative process for our customers and ourselves.”

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