Nextpower

Last updated
Nextpower
Company type Public
Headquarters Fremont, California, U.S.
Revenue US$2,959 million (FY2025)
US$639 million (FY2025)
US$509 million (FY2025)
Total assets US$3,192 million (FY2025)
Total equity US$1,628 million (FY2025)
Number of employees
1,300
Website nextpower.com
Footnotes /references
[1]

Nextpower (NXT) is a global energy technology provider based in Fremont, California. [2] [3]

Contents

The company was originally established in 2014 as Nextracker, Inc. On November 12, 2025, it rebranded as Nextpower to reflect its transformation from solar tracking to energy technology for utility-scale and distributed generation solar power plants.

History

In 2014, Solaria Corporation spun off their tracker technology to create Nextracker, with Dan Shugar as the CEO. [4]

Flextronics purchased Nextracker in 2015 for $330 million. [5] In 2016, Nextracker acquired BrightBox Technologies, Inc., which develops predictive modeling software and machine-learning technologies. [6] This acquisition led to the development and 2017 launch of TrueCapture, an intelligent, self-adjusting tracker control system that continuously refines the tracking algorithm of each individual solar array in response to existing site and weather conditions, delivering 2% to 6% energy gains. [7]

The company expanded to more than 20 U.S. manufacturing lines in Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, and Nevada between January 2021 and August 2024. [8] As of March 31,2024, the company’s total global manufacturing capacity was approximately 1,000 MW per week, and supported up to 50 GW of annual shipments. [9]

In February 2023, the company raised $638 million in a U.S. initial public offering, selling 26.6 million shares of Class A common stock at $24 per share, resulting in a corporate valuation of more than $3.5 billion. It debuted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on February 9, 2023, under the ticker symbol, NXT. [10] [11]

In late 2024, a class action lawsuit was filed against the company and several of its executives, including Dan Shugar, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint alleges violations of federal securities laws, asserting that the company and its leadership made materially false or misleading statements during the class period, which allegedly led to investor losses. The lawsuit claims that the defendants, including Shugar, failed to disclose adverse facts about the company's business and operations, thereby misleading investors. [12]

In 2025, the company established an artificial intelligence and robotics division following three acquisitions in the sector and appointed Francesco Borrelli as its first Chief AI and Robotics Officer. [13] [14] On November 12, 2025, it rebranded to Nextpower, marking its transformation into a full-platform company, delivering an integrated portfolio of advanced technologies and services for utility-scale and distributed generation solar power plants.

Technology

As of March 31, 2024, the company had more than 600 patents related to solar tracking hardware systems, including innovations that increase energy yields, reduce costs, and expand tracking system applications. [15] [9]

Solar trackers

The company pioneered decentralized, single-axis trackers that connect each row of solar panels to its own motor and control system. This design allows each solar panel row to move independently to position the panels toward the sun, maximizing energy yield for the entire fleet. [15]

The company’s terrain-following trackers adapt to a site’s natural contours, reducing grading requirements, minimizing environmental impact, and expanding the viability of solar projects on landscapes with extreme terrain. [16]

In 2024, the company introduced tracker technology that uses weather-forecasting data and AI to automatically adjust solar panel angles into a stow mode ahead of hailstorms to avoid direct hits. [17] [18] The product was developed to mitigate the rising cost of insuring solar arrays from hail and other weather-related damage. [19] The same technology is also used to stow panels during grid outages without operator intervention. [16]

Software, controls & training

The company’s software monitors weather conditions, checks for blind spots, and directs the position of individual rows of solar panels to optimize energy yield. [15] A new tracking function added in 2023 adjusts trackers in response to variations in cloud cover across an entire power plant, enabling plants to chase clouds for added gains without compromising tracking performance during clear sky conditions [16]

PowerworX Academy

The company’s PowerworX Academy provides operators of utility-scale solar power plants from around the world with training in tracker installation, commissioning, operations and maintenance. Graduates receive professional development credits from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. [20]

Acquisitions and Joint Ventures

2025

In early 2025, the company expanded its artificial intelligence and robotics capabilities through the acquisitions of Amir Robotics, which provides intelligent, water-free robotic cleaning systems, and Onsight Technology, which develops AI-powered visual recognition systems for automated inspection and fire detection at solar plants. These transactions followed the company’s 2024 acquisition of SenseHawk IP. Together, the acquisitions broadened the company's smart operations and maintenance (O&M) and modeling capabilities. [21] [22] [23]

In May 2025, the company acquired Bentek Corporation, a San Jose–based manufacturer of pre-assembled electrical balance-of-system (eBOS) systems, in a US$78 million cash transaction. Bentek’s products, which collect and transport electricity from solar panels to power-conditioning systems, broadened the company's technology platform. [24] [25] [26]

That same year, the company and Abunayyan Holding, a Saudi energy company, established a joint venture, Nextracker Arabia, to manufacture and supply solar trackers and control systems for utility-scale and distributed solar projects in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Headquartered in Riyadh, the venture was formed to support Saudi Arabia’s target of installing 130 gigawatts of renewable-energy capacity by 2030. [27] [28]

In September 2025, the company acquired Origami Solar, a Bend, Oregon–based manufacturer of roll-formed steel-frame technology, for $53 million. The acquisition allows the company to shift production of certain solar panel frames from aluminum to steel, which is stronger and more durable. [29] [30]

2024

In 2024, the company acquired solar PV foundations supplier Solar Pile International, located in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, for US$48 million. The acquisition supports the company’s plans to provide integrated solutions for a broad range of soil conditions at utility-scale projects. [31] [32]

That same year, the company acquired Ojjo, a San Rafael, California-based renewable energy company that specializes in foundation technology and services used in utility-scale solar power projects. Ojjo’s truss systems use half the steel of conventional foundations and are designed to minimize grading requirements in utility-scale projects. The all-cash transaction was valued at US$119 million. [33] [34]

In 2024, the company acquired SenseHawk IP, a developer of AI-enhanced drone technology for high-precision 3D modeling used in solar project planning and construction. [21]

2016

In 2016, the company acquired BrightBox Technologies Inc., a predictive modeling software and machine-learning technologies company. Located in Berkeley, California, BrightBox develops technologies that increase the energy yield of solar projects. [35] [36]

Sustainability and legacy

2025

In 2025, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the company introduced a foundation solution that uses semi-autonomous drilling to make solar development faster and more feasible on Australia’s toughest terrain. The technology is designed to overcome construction barriers posed by rocky or hard soils, expanding the potential for utility-scale solar development in challenging terrain. [37] [38]

In 2025, Sol Systems completed the 342-MWDC Eldorado Solar project in southeast Illinois. Built by the company in partnership with SOLV Energy, the project combines utility-scale solar with row-crop agriculture—and is considered one of the early row-crop agrivoltaics projects at this scale in the United States. Through a collaboration with the American Farmland Trust, Kernza, a perennial grain, will be cultivated beneath a portion of the solar array. [39] [40]

In 2025, the company teamed with the University of California Berkeley Engineering (UC Berkeley) to establish the CALNEXT Center for Solar Energy Research. The Center will prioritize technologies to enhance power plant performance and operations, with the hopes of increasing the expansion of utility-scale solar. The company contributed a $6.5 million gift to support the initiative. [41] [42]

2023 and 2024

In April 2024, the company introduced a solar tracker system with a carbon footprint that is up to 35% lower than traditional trackers. The low-carbon tracker system, which is produced with an electric arc furnace manufacturing process and uses recycled steel, received the Carbon Trust Product Carbon Footprint Label certification. [43] [44]

In 2023 and 2024, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) teamed with the company to advance PV tracker reliability during severe weather events. The company built two self-powered PV tracking systems that were deployed at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center in Golden, Colorado for a large-scale study on the impact of severe weather on the equipment. [45]

In 2023, the company partnered with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled to install solar PV systems at Government Primary Health Centres in Kondapur and Atmakur, both located in Sangareddy district of India. These 6 kW PV systems donated by the company help bring healthcare services to 50,000 underserved residents in the region. [46]

2022

In 2022, the company partnered with Flex Instituto de Tecnologia to launch the Brazil Center for Solar Excellence, South America’s largest solar tracker research and development facility. Located in Sorocaba, Brazil, the research center, test lab, and training facility addresses every stage of a solar tracker system’s lifecycle. [47]

References

  1. "Nextracker Reports Q4 and Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results".
  2. Deffenbaugh, Ryan (2024-02-01). "NXT Stock: Why Solar Stock Nextracker Is Surging Today". Investor's Business Daily. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  3. Ludt, Billy (2025-11-12). "Solar tracker giant Nextracker rebrands as Nextpower". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  4. Weirich, Tom (22 September 2022). We Took the Risk: The Stories Behind the Early Risk Takers in the U.S. Renewable Energy Industry and the Leadership Traits that Made Them a Success. Potomac, Maryland: New Degree Press. pp. 235–246. ISBN   979-8885046398.
  5. "Flextronics Buys NEXTracker for $330 Million". Greentech Media. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  6. Bushong, Steven (2016-08-30). "NEXTracker acquires BrightBox Technologies". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  7. "039: Dan Shugar, CEO of NEXTracker, on scale, culture, and winning in business and life | SunCast Media". www.suncast.media. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  8. Linder, Lauren (2024-04-26). "JM Steel announces expansion in Pittsburgh area as demand for solar energy increases - CBS Pittsburgh". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  9. 1 2 "2024 Nextracker Annual Report". nextracker.com. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  10. "Nextracker Jumps Up to 29% After Upsized $638 Million US IPO". Bloomberg. 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  11. "Solar tech firm Nextracker raises $638 mln in upsized U.S. IPO". Reuters. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  12. "Class Action Filed Against Nextracker Inc. (NXT) Seeking Recovery for Investors". Fox40. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  13. "US firm Nextracker launches new AI and robotics business". evertiq.com. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  14. "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  15. 1 2 3 "Nextracker Is the Market Leader in the Growing Solar-Tracking Industry". Morningstar. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 Jacobo, Jonathan Tourino (2023-09-07). "Nextracker Unveils Next Generation Tech Suite to Address Hail, Undulating Terrain, and Rapidly Changing Atmospheric Conditions". PV-Tech. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  17. Gearino, Dan. "Extreme Hail Storms Are Wrecking Solar Farms—but Defending Them May Be Easier Than It Seems". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028 . Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  18. Dvorak, Phred (29 July 2024). "The Rush to Shore Up the Power Grid Against Hurricanes, Heat and Hail". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  19. Vandewege, Renny. "Reducing Hail Risk Can Save Millions For Solar Industry". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  20. Pickerel, Kelly (2018-09-25). "NEXTracker has successfully trained 500 installers in its global tracker program". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  21. 1 2 "Nextracker Applies AI and Robotics to Enhance Solar Plant Projects | SMM". news.metal.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  22. shanshan, liu (2025-08-04). "Nextracker, the Solar Tracking Leader, Acquires Three Robotics and AI Companies|Company News|Solarbe Global" . Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  23. Oitzman, Mike (2025-08-02). "Nextracker invests in field robotics and AI for solar power plants". The Robot Report. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  24. Fehrenbacher, Katie (2025-05-15). "Solar tracker firm Nextracker has a plan to use acquisitions to morph into a solar tech company". Axios. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  25. Ludt, Billy (2025-05-14). "Nextracker enters solar eBOS market by acquiring Bentek". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  26. Staff, S. B. (2025-05-19). "Nextracker adds eBOS line with Bentek Corp. acquisition". Solar Builder Magazine. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  27. Jacobo, Jonathan Touriño (2025-10-24). "Nextracker forms JV in Saudi Arabia, raises FY guidance". PV Tech. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  28. www.ETEnergyworld.com. "Abunayyan Holding, Nextracker form JV to boost solar manufacturing in Saudi Arabia". ETEnergyworld.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  29. Content, Contributed (2025-09-10). "Nextracker Acquires Origami Solar in $53 Million Deal". POWER Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  30. Gerke, Paul (2025-09-18). "Nextracker folds in steel frame manufacturer Origami Solar". Factor This™. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  31. Jacobo, Jonathan Touriño (2024-08-02). "Nextracker acquires PV foundations supplier Solar Pile International". PV Tech. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  32. Ludt, Billy (2024-08-02). "Nextracker acquires ground-mount manufacturer Solar Pile International". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  33. Ludt, Billy (2024-06-20). "Nextracker acquires solar foundations manufactuerer Ojjo". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  34. "Nextracker acquires solar foundation specialist Ojjo for $119 million". pv magazine International. 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  35. Bushong, Steven (2016-08-30). "NEXTracker acquires BrightBox Technologies". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  36. Bebon, Joseph (2016-08-30). "NEXTracker Acquires Software Company BrightBox Technologies". Solar Industry. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  37. B, Kate (2025-10-28). "Nextracker introduces NX Earth Truss solar foundation in Australia with ARENA backing". Australian Manufacturing. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  38. Agency, funding from the Australian Renewable Energy; Rocky, To Enable Solar Deployment on; Foley, hard soil sites Ev (2025-10-31). "Nextracker unveils Earth Truss system for uneven Australian terrain". pv magazine International. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  39. Misbrener, Kelsey (2025-09-26). "Utility-scale solar project will host row crops underneath through farmland partnership". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  40. Doll, Brian (2025-10-01). "Sol Systems unveils largest project to date with Eldorado Solar Project". Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  41. Ludt, Billy (2025-01-15). "Nextracker and UC Berkeley create solar energy research facility". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  42. Ludt, Billy (2025-01-15). "Nextracker and UC Berkeley create solar energy research facility". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  43. "Nextracker cuts solar tracker carbon by 35% with recycled steel and electric furnaces". pv magazine USA. 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  44. "Nextracker Launches Industry's First Low Carbon Solar Tracker Solution". Yahoo Finance. 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  45. "Nextracker and NREL Partnership Inspires New Look at PV Tracker Industry Design Standards". National Renewable Energy Laboratory. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  46. Jaffer, Askari (2023-09-05). "Nextracker Donates to Public Health Centers in Telangana, Uplifting 50,000 Lives with Sustainable Solar Solutions". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  47. magazine, pv (2022-08-17). "Nextracker and FIT Institute of Technology Launch Brazil Center for Solar Excellence". pv magazine International. Retrieved 2024-08-29.