PV tracker manufacturer NEXTracker has partnered with South America-based steel manufacturer Cintac for solar projects in Chile.
Cintac will produce steel components and piers for NEXTracker’s solar projects. The steel manufacturer has already produced steel foundations for NEXTracker’s utility-scale Crucero and Javiera projects in the Atacama Desert with a combined capacity of 140MW.
Under the new partnership, Cintac will also manufacture NEXTracker’s steel torque tubes for the trackers as well as foundations.
A NEXTracker statement said that the partnership demonstrates the economic benefits of local supply chain strategies.
Dan Shugar, NEXTracker’s chief executive, said: “By all standards Cintac is a world class steel supplier and their dedication to quality is outstanding. Their proven track record and commitment to high-end construction materials will serve our customers well as we rapidly scale tracker deployment in the region. With this crucial partnership, we can reduce material lead time by more than 50%.”
Giancarlo Stagno, manager of operations, Cintac, said: “We are proud to be establishing this important partnership with NEXTracker. Not only is their product transforming the tracker landscape, but as dedicated regional players, their strategic progressive thinking supports a robust and sustainable Chilean solar industry.”
Last month NEXTracker shipped its self-powered tracker product for SunEdison’s 110MW Quilapilun solar farm near Chile’s capital of Santiago.
