In partnership with the non-profit Flex Instituto de Tecnologia, Nextracker has opened a solar tracker research and development facility in Brazil.
The multi-million-dollar center, which will be unveiled next week in Sorocaba, covers the entire life cycle of the tracker system, including structural, mechanical and electrical design as well as construction, operations and maintenance.
U.S. tracker maker Nextracker said the agency's team will conduct in-depth research and testing on wind dynamics, soil mechanics and tracker performance improvements through software and a battery backup system.
Called the Brazilian Solar Center of Excellence, the facility includes an adjacent 770kW solar project that will serve as an outdoor laboratory for the prototyping and testing of new products, as well as a workforce training center.
Brazil's rapidly growing PV projects have led Nextracker to choose Brazil as its largest investment in research and development and training outside North America, the company said.
Citing data from research firm Wood Mackenzie, Nextracker said the Brazilian solar tracker market is growing four times faster than the international market, with single-axis tracker installations growing by 105% in 2021.
Nextracker opened three U.S. plants this year in Pennsylvania, Texas and Arizona. The company's goal is to have an annual U.S. tracker capacity of 10GW.
