Nextracker and T1 Energy Inc. have entered into a strategic agreement in which T1 Energy will use Nextracker’s patented steel module frame technology at its new 5-gigawatt (GW) solar manufacturing facility.
The move advances the industry’s transition away from using imported aluminum frames and moving toward made-in-the-USA frames using locally manufactured specialty steel.
Because most solar frames are made from extruded aluminum and imported from Asia, Nextracker is reshoring manufacturing to produce specialty steel frames domestically, offering a more durable, competitively priced alternative that reduces exposure to tariffs and global supply chain risks.
Nextracker anticipates increasing its existing U.S. steel frame capacity in the Midwest by adding more manufacturing lines in Texas, further expanding its footprint of more than a dozen manufacturing partners that produce key solar tracker components.
“We’re proud to offer our customers leading-edge solar module frame technology from Nextracker,” said Daniel Barcelo, Chairman and CEO, T1 Energy, in a statement. “These are American companies and factories with American workers delivering American energy security. With potential for surging demand from data centers and AI infrastructure, the U.S. needs to establish critical energy supply chains built on domestic capacity and industrial expertise. This is exactly what T1 and Nextracker are doing, together.”
Dan Shugar, founder and CEO of Nextracker, added, “It is a privilege to be supporting T1 Energy’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Dallas with our patented steel module frames using high quality and low carbon U.S.-produced steel. Our technology enables lower cost solar power by improving PV module durability and installation velocity.”
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