MANY MINDEDArray Technologies triples U.S. solar tracker manufacturing capacity
Array Technologies expanded its U.S. manufacturing capacity by nearly threefold with a new 216,000 square foot facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The $50 million construction project employs 300 people and qualifies for Section 45X tax credits, receiving $2.5 million from New Mexico’s LEDA fund and smaller grants from local governments. The company reported second quarter 2026 earnings of $342.1 million—a 53% increase from Q1—and booked $2.5 billion in orders for the same quarter. With 100 GW of solar trackers deployed globally as of the report date, the facility directly supports scaling affordable solar access by cutting component sourcing dependencies.
This in-house manufacturing reduces installation costs through localized production, addressing a key bottleneck in solar affordability. By moving tracker assembly within the U.S., Array Technologies minimizes reliance on international supply chains that often drive up prices and create delays for low-income communities.
The expansion moves abundance in energy access by lowering the cost barriers for solar installation. Reduced component sourcing dependencies mean more households can afford solar systems without complex international logistics or premium pricing. This is especially relevant for communities where upfront costs have historically limited solar adoption.
What to watch: The acquisition of Affordable Wire Management (announced August 2026) could further streamline solar installation costs. The 100 GW deployment figure is current as of the report date, and the $2.5 billion order represents Q2 2026 bookings—not final sales. The facility’s long-term impact depends on whether scaling production reduces costs enough to make solar installation accessible for more households without new subsidies.
Source: pv magazine