US-based Nextracker has launched the NX Earth Truss Foundation solution backed by ARENA. Engineered for rocky and hard soil conditions for utility-scale solar development, the Earth Truss can expand possible sites where terrain has previously been a barrier.
The company says easing land-use constraints can accelerate project timelines and boosted by increased automation, remote project sites increasingly become viable utility-scale solar development sites.
At the core of Nextracker’s system is the NX Truss Driver, a semi-autonomous drilling machine equipped with precision global navigation satellite system (GNSS) controls and unique drill-and-drive technology.
It installs NX Earth Truss foundations in a single pass, reducing labor hours, eliminating rework, and de-risking construction timelines – a critical advantage as Australia races to deploy renewables at unprecedented speed, a company statement says.
Nextracker Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asis General Manager and Vice President Peter Wheale said NX Earth Truss is a breakthrough for the Australian solar market.
“By unlocking new categories of land, we’re giving developers and EPCs greater flexibility and reduced project risk while helping Australia accelerate its clean energy transition,” Wheale said.
ARENA backing
ARENA has provided almost AUD 5 million ($3.28 million) in funding to Nextracker for deploying the Earth Truss technology.
“We greatly appreciate ARENA’s leadership and support in driving next-generation renewable energy solutions like Nextracker’s Earth Truss here in Australia,” Wheale said.
ARENA Chief Executive Officer Darren Miller said ARENA is committed to supporting technologies that expand Australia’s renewable energy options.
“By making previously unusable land viable for solar development, Nextracker’s innovative Earth Truss technology can help fast-track project delivery and broaden opportunities for investors and communities alike.”
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.