Recent data suggests that new generation projects linger for five years on average between queue entry and commercial operation, primarily slowed by necessary network upgrades to interconnect to the grid. The United States has about 2.6 terawatt hours (TWh) waiting to come online. Can anything be done to expedite the process from siting to sending electrons?
Nextracker thinks so. The leading solar technology platform provider has acquired U.S.-based Bentek Corporation, which manufactures electrical infrastructure used in all types of solar power plants, in an all-cash transaction of approximately $78 million.
While it can’t unclog any queues, Nextracker will speed up project timelines by combining Bentek’s engineered, pre-assembled eBOS solutions with its solar tracker platform, providing customers streamlined procurement and project logistics from a single source.
“It is fantastic to join forces with Bentek, expanding the Nextracker platform with exceptional eBOS products and expertise,” stated Howard Wenger, president of Nextracker.
“Together, we can offer fully engineered, integrated solutions that can help accelerate procurement and construction timelines and reduce installed cost, all backed by the trusted Nextracker brand. We believe that an integrated design approach can unlock synergies between the mechanical and electrical subsystems, driving enhanced customer value and creating a new and powerful solar power plant platform business model.”
eBOS technology components comprise the electrical infrastructure used in all utility-scale solar projects to collect and transport electricity from solar panels to power conditioning systems throughout a solar field. The eBOS products will be offered as standalone, industry-compatible components for both trackers and fixed tilt systems, and in formats optimized for use in integrated NX Horizon system solutions.
“In utility-scale solar, eBOS quality and reliability are critical to system uptime and long-term ROI,” observed Nextracker founder and CEO Dan Shugar. “Bentek has the ingredients to be a larger player.”
“We see an opportunity for customers to have one provider designing and supplying materials to the projects, in buildable megawatts delivered for customers,” Shugar summarized in his company’s latest earnings call. “These products work well together. They touch each other.”
Bentek’s U.S. fabrication footprint will also further enhance Nextracker’s already-strong domestic supply chain position. Nextracker asserts that Bentek’s industry-proven eBOS solutions meet the most stringent North American safety standards, and its engineered components provide flexible options for maximum installation efficiency, safety, and reliability. They include:
- Trunk bus solutions: Electrical DC collection strategy that combines PV harnessing and insulation piercing connector (IPC) technology to connect panels to inverters. This effectively consolidates wiring within the tracker rows and routes power directly to inverters, lowering field labor costs, improving reliability, and reducing maintenance over the life of a system.
- Combiner box solutions: Electrical DC collection strategy that combines PV harnessing using a pre-designed and manufactured combiner box to connect panels to inverters. Generally mounted on the tracker rows to combine solar panel strings in the field and deliver power to inverters, this approach enables a plug-and-play solution with enhanced flexibility and serviceability benefits.
- Configurable harness solutions: Tailored for each project, both string and over-mold harnesses connect multiple PV strings in parallel for reliable, plug-and-play DC aggregation. These solutions feature factory-manufactured over-molded fuses and joints, enabling configurations for a broad range of cable sizes and connector types.
Bentek eBOS solutions are currently available in North America with targeted future availability in other markets.
A Bigger, Bolder Nextracker
The acquisition of Bentek continues Nextracker’s strategy of incorporating complementary technologies into the company’s market-leading tracker platform to accelerate solar power plant construction, increase performance, and enhance long-term reliability. For example, Nextracker acquired solar foundation technology company Ojjo last summer in an all-cash transaction for approximately $119 million.
“We’ve had customers tell us, point blank, we want to buy more from you,” Shugar shared. “We need more manufacturing on all-of-the-above solar in the USA.”
Co-optimized solutions add value for customers, Shugar figures. EPC contractor SOLV Energy sees it the same way.
“SOLV is thrilled that Nextracker has entered eBOS manufacturing; we have been encouraging them to make this move to bring their operational excellence and financial strength to electrical products supporting solar power plants,” said George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy. “Bentek was a great choice for Nextracker; SOLV has been using their reliable and high-quality products for many years and is a current customer.”
