I’m excited to share that Nextracker has launched a new solar module frame business line — accelerated by our acquisition of Origami Solar, developers of a unique steel frame design. This is a move that just makes sense.
Since our founding, we’ve been working closely with PV module manufacturers on frame technology. We know that the frame, and its interaction with the tracker, is fundamental to system reliability and long-term resilience. And we know steel — partnering with U.S. suppliers for years to ensure quality, consistency, and performance. We are one of America's largest steel buyers.
Bringing these two strengths together, and folding steel module frames into our business, deepens our ability to deliver value in several important ways.
First, steel frames enable true regionalization of PV supply chains. Right out of the gate, we will be supporting U.S. solar panel manufacturers with frames made in the USA — including our first partner, T1 Energy, an advanced solar module manufacturer in Texas — with plans to expand to select international markets.
Second, steel offers clear durability and sustainability advantages over legacy aluminum. Steel provides the strength and mechanical performance needed for today’s large-area PV modules. It also requires significantly less energy to produce, lowering the embodied carbon of the panel versus aluminum. (You can read more about that here.)
Finally, integrating steel frame designs with tracker system engineering can unlock more system-wide value. There is an enormous opportunity to co-optimize these components to speed installation, enable robotics, and reduce total cost of ownership for solar projects.
Kudos to Origami Solar for their years of work advancing a universal steel frame compatible with most panels and manufacturing equipment. Their team brings deep expertise that complements Nextracker’s strengths in materials science, wind engineering, manufacturing, and application design. Together, we can deliver tightly integrated engineering to EPCs and developers who count on us to reduce project risk and maximize plant performance.
Welcome to the team, Origami. The work ahead is critical — and we’re just getting started powering what’s next.
— Shug
Update (12/1/2025): Nextracker is now Nextpower. Hear CEO Dan Shugar explain the next chapter of our journey, and our complete technology platform, in this video.