Land availability is a significant challenge for India to achieve the ambitious solar target of 280 GW by 2030. The scarcity of flat, suitable land for large-scale solar projects is a pressing issue, especially given the country’s topographic diversity. To address this challenge, advanced solar tracker solutions that can adapt to uneven and complex landscapes have become essential.

Nextracker’s NX Horizon-XTR™, an innovative solar tracker solution designed to overcome terrain limitations, supports solar deployment on uneven landscapes, reducing costly or environmentally damaging land grading. This technology is designed to expand the reach of renewable energy by opening up previously unusable land.

Adapting Solar Infrastructure to Natural Terrain

NX Horizon-XTR offers developers a highly adaptable solution that works with natural landscapes. Its unique engineered design follows the contours of the land, allowing for solar installation on hilly or undulating terrain. This eliminates the need for extensive grading, which can disrupt ecosystems, degrade topsoil, and increase construction time and costs by up to 3,000 cubic yards per MW. It also helps save up to 9,000 pounds of foundation steel per MW, a key cost saving and sustainability benefit, as steel production is a highly energy-intensive process.

By preserving native vegetation, maintaining topsoil integrity and preventing erosion, NX Horizon-XTR helps to address critical environmental concerns, particularly in regions prone to heavy rains or droughts. This helps reduce the risk of habitat disruption, which is a major concern for large-scale projects in biodiverse areas.

Global Impact and Regional Successes

With 15 GW of this technology deployed globally, NX Horizon-XTR has been recognized for its ability to support large-scale projects in difficult terrains. A notable example is its deployment in the 1.17 GW Al Kahfah Solar Power Plant in Saudi Arabia. Selected by ACWA Power and Larsen & Toubro as part of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program, this installation exemplifies how NX Horizon-XTR enables efficient solar deployment even on complex landscapes.

In 2024, Nextracker opened India’s first Center for Solar Excellence in Hyderabad with a thrust for innovation. This facility focuses on R&D and testing to enhance the speed of installation, mitigate land disturbance, and increase energy yield on hilly terrains.

Beyond its innovative technology, Nextracker has expanded its local content program in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Africa, and India. It is strengthening the supply chain through partnerships with local suppliers, fostering job creation, and supporting the region’s renewable energy goals.

A New Benchmark in Solar Technology

As the demand for renewable energy grows, so does the need for versatile technology capable of adapting to diverse landscapes without compromising efficiency. NX Horizon-XTR stands out as a solution that balances performance with environmental responsibility, offering a sustainable pathway for countries like India to achieve their ambitious renewable energy targets. With its adaptability and minimal environmental impact, NX Horizon-XTR is redefining solar technology standards in smart solar tracking solutions. Through this innovative approach, Nextracker is helping to unlock the potential of challenging landscapes, paving the way for a more sustainable and energy-resilient future.

This article is sponsored by Nextracker.

Image courtesy: Nextracker