Solar Trackers Can Boost Annual Energy Output by Up to 30%: Interview

AI, terrain-following technology shaping the future of the tracker industry globally

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The large-scale deployment of trackers has been a key growth driver for India’s solar energy sector and has supported the country’s transition to renewables by improving energy output and reducing lifecycle costs compared with conventional fixed-tilt installations.

In an exclusive interview with Mercom India, Rajeev Kashyap, Senior Vice President and General Manager (Middle East, India, and Africa) at U.S.-based solar tracker company Nextpower, discusses the company’s outlook for solar tracker growth in India, the potential energy gains from tracker deployment, domestic manufacturing capability, and the topographical challenges affecting tracker deployment in India.

How has Nextpower expanded its operational and manufacturing footprint in India over the past few years?

India is one of our most strategic markets globally, and our commitment here has only deepened since

With more than 160 GW of solar tracker deployments worldwide, we have established a strong presence in India’s utility-scale solar sector.

We have surpassed 10 GW of solar tracker shipments in India, a milestone that places us firmly among the most deployed tracker platforms in the country.

A defining feature of our presence in India is the Center for Solar Excellence in Hyderabad. The 13-acre facility combines testing, training, and product validation capabilities to support the entire solar project lifecycle and helps us address customer requirements better.

Our India operations are anchored in Hyderabad and Chennai, where more than 500 professionals support product development, research and development, and project execution.

Given how utility-scale projects are increasingly leveraging advanced tracking technologies, what’s Nextpower’s outlook on the growth potential of the solar tracker market in India?

We see India as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for advanced solar tracker adoption, driven by the rapid expansion of utility-scale solar projects, a growing focus on maximizing energy yield, and the need to improve project economics in land- and grid-constrained environments.

Our outlook is also supported by broader industry trends and independent studies, which indicate that tracker-mounted systems in India can deliver higher energy output and lower lifecycle costs as compared to conventional fixed-tilt installations.