Nextracker, a solar tracker and software solutions company, and JM Steel, a subsidiary of JENNMAR Holdings, a provider of infrastructure products and specialized services, recently held a dedication ceremony for the major expansion of Nextracker-dedicated manufacturing lines at JM Steel’s Leetsdale steel facility.
“We are thrilled to be partnered with JM Steel and celebrate the expansion of the Pittsburgh facility to serve customer demand,” Dan Shugar, Nextracker founder and CEO, said. “This facility is also expected to produce core components of our new low carbon tracker offering announced this week. The U.S. solar market is continuing to demonstrate strong growth. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has forecasted solar to grow 26 percent on an annual compounded rate and be the number one source of energy in the U.S. within a decade.”
The expansion more than doubles the facility’s production capacity to 4 gigawatts and adds new manufacturing lines for solar energy projects. The expansion also creates 60 jobs. The facility includes solar tube lines with automated drilling and swedging.
“This is a win at the convergence of two industries that are pivotal to southwestern Pennsylvania – energy and manufacturing – and we’re proud that our region is a key part of the supply chain that’s helping to bring more solar energy to the market,” said Matt Smith, chief growth officer at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
Over the last four years, JENNMAR has invested more than $100 million in the U.S. solar industry.
Since 2021, Nextracker has completed 20 new or expanded U.S. manufacturing partner facilities, including several last year.