First Solar buys RayTracker, adds single-axis tracker, balance-of-systems technology

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

First Solar has acquired Idealab operating company RayTracker, a photovoltaic panel tracking technology and balance-of-systems firm based in Pasadena, CA. RayTracker's team will join First Solar's engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) group, and the acquired company’s customers will be transitioned to its new parent.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The new additions will bring expertise in solar technology innovation, reliability engineering, advanced PV system modeling, software engineering, product development, and high-volume manufacturing to the company, according to First Solar.

The RayTracker suite of technology includes GC-Series single-axis trackers, PV-Platform Software Toolset for system design and operation, wireless infrastructure, and other PV balance-of-system innovations.

Originally a product group of fellow Idealab company and concentrator PV developer Energy Innovations, RayTracker spun out as a separate entity in March 2009. The BOS firm experienced solid growth in 2010, saying it had tripled quarter-over-quarter revenue in successive quarters in the first half of the year.  

First Solar spokesman Alan Bernheimer told PV-Tech via email that the deal is indeed closed and that no terms have been disclosed. The nine employees of RayTracker will remain in Pasadena.

“Tracker technology is one of a numbe­r of initiatives under development in our systems group as part of our broader effort to enable lower LCOE [levelized cost of energy] pricing capability and further differentiate our solution in the market,” he explained. “Customers are increasingly interested in trackers for their potential to optimize energy yield and reduce the LCOE.

He also said that First Solar is “field testing the [tracker] technology,” although there are “no results to report.”

“We are not announcing any new products at this time,” he added. “First Solar is still evaluating the effectiveness of tracking and other advanced systems technologies and will announce product offerings through a customer release process when appropriate to do so.”

RayTracker stated in July that it would be increasing its outsourced manufacturing capacity to 25MW per month and that it had more than 1.5GW in its “pipeline of quoted projects.”

REC Solar, Martifer Solar, and groSolar have been cited as RayTracker customers that had used the newly acquired company’s equipment in their 2010 projects.

Although he could not provide any further information on the current manufacturing status of RayTracker's product line or First Solar’s strategy for tracker production, Bernheimer did say that the company “will continue to honor the contractual commitments of RayTracker. Other order requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”

Read Next

September 9, 2025
Iberdrola has signed a 77MW power purchase agreement (PPA) with Italian grocery retail group Selex Gruppo Commerciale.
September 9, 2025
Nautilus and Summit Ridge Energy secured major financing deals to expand community solar projects across multiple US states.
September 9, 2025
The US is forecast to reach between US$55-60 billion in clean energy tax credit monetisation in 2025, according to a report from clean energy financing technology platform Crux.
September 9, 2025
The average price of solar modules sold in Europe fell marginally between July and August, while buyers’ confidence remained steady.
September 9, 2025
The US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has released a policy blueprint which it claims would “strengthen the reliability of America’s electric grid with solar and storage technologies.”
September 9, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has acquired Origami Solar, a steel frame technology-focused company, for approximately US$53 million. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines