FTC Solar Launches Automated 80° High Angle Stow for 1P Pioneer Tracker to Maximize Hail Protection
FTC Solar (Nasdaq: FTCI) has unveiled an automated 80° high angle stow feature for its 1P Pioneer solar tracking system, designed to protect solar installations from hail damage. The system, powered by FTC's SUNOPS™ software, automatically rotates solar panels to a steep angle when hail is detected, significantly reducing the risk of damage by causing hailstones to strike at glancing angles.
The innovative solution integrates with SUNOPS platform for configurable thresholds based on hail size and storm probability. Key features include reliable controlled movement, structural integrity at high tilt angles, and flexible risk management options. The system allows both automated responses to weather alerts and manual override capabilities.
FTC Solar (Nasdaq: FTCI) ha introdotto una funzione automatizzata di stow ad angolo elevato di 80° per il suo sistema di inseguimento solare 1P Pioneer, studiata per proteggere gli impianti fotovoltaici dai danni da grandine. Gestita dal software SUNOPS™ di FTC, la soluzione inclina automaticamente i pannelli su un angolo molto ripido quando viene rilevata la grandine, riducendo notevolmente il rischio di danni grazie a impatti più obliqui dei chicchi.
La soluzione si integra con la piattaforma SUNOPS permettendo soglie configurabili in base alla dimensione della grandine e alla probabilità di temporali. Tra le caratteristiche principali: movimenti controllati e affidabili, integrità strutturale a elevati angoli di inclinazione e opzioni flessibili di gestione del rischio. Il sistema supporta risposte automatiche agli allarmi meteo e la possibilità di intervento manuale.
FTC Solar (Nasdaq: FTCI) ha lanzado una función automatizada de posición de resguardo a 80° para su sistema de seguimiento solar 1P Pioneer, pensada para proteger las instalaciones solares de daños por granizo. Impulsado por el software SUNOPS™ de FTC, el sistema inclina automáticamente los paneles a un ángulo pronunciado cuando se detecta granizo, disminuyendo significativamente el riesgo de daños al provocar impactos más rasantes.
La solución se integra con la plataforma SUNOPS y permite configurar umbrales según el tamaño del granizo y la probabilidad de tormentas. Sus características clave incluyen movimientos controlados y fiables, integridad estructural en ángulos altos y opciones flexibles de gestión del riesgo. El sistema admite respuestas automáticas a alertas meteorológicas y también cuenta con anulación manual.
FTC Solar (Nasdaq: FTCI)는 1P Pioneer 태양광 트래킹 시스템을 위한 자동화된 80° 고각 스토우 기능을 공개했으며, 이는 우박 피해로부터 태양광 설비를 보호하도록 설계되었습니다. FTC의 SUNOPS™ 소프트웨어로 구동되는 이 시스템은 우박이 감지되면 패널을 급격한 각도로 자동 회전시켜 우박이 비스듬히 맞도록 만들어 손상 위험을 크게 줄입니다.
이 혁신적인 솔루션은 우박 크기와 폭풍 확률에 따른 구성 가능한 임계값을 위해 SUNOPS 플랫폼과 통합됩니다. 주요 특징으로는 신뢰할 수 있는 제어된 이동, 높은 기울기 각도에서의 구조적 완전성, 유연한 위험 관리 옵션이 있습니다. 시스템은 기상 알림에 대한 자동 응답과 수동 제어 기능을 모두 제공합니다.
FTC Solar (Nasdaq: FTCI) a dévoilé une fonction automatisée de mise en sécurité à angle élevé de 80° pour son système de suivi photovoltaïque 1P Pioneer, conçue pour protéger les installations solaires des dégâts causés par la grêle. Piloté par le logiciel SUNOPS™ de FTC, le système incline automatiquement les panneaux à un angle prononcé lorsqu'une grêle est détectée, réduisant considérablement le risque de dommages en provoquant des impacts plus obliques des grêlons.
La solution innovante s'intègre à la plateforme SUNOPS et propose des seuils configurables selon la taille de la grêle et la probabilité d'orage. Les principales caractéristiques comprennent des mouvements contrôlés et fiables, une intégrité structurelle à fort angle d'inclinaison et des options de gestion du risque flexibles. Le système permet des réponses automatiques aux alertes météo ainsi qu'une possibilité d'intervention manuelle.
FTC Solar (Nasdaq: FTCI) hat eine automatisierte 80° Hochwinkel-Stellungsfunktion für sein 1P Pioneer Solarnachführsystem vorgestellt, die dazu dient, Solaranlagen vor Hagelschäden zu schützen. Das von FTCs SUNOPS™-Software gesteuerte System dreht die Solarmodule automatisch auf einen steilen Winkel, sobald Hagel erkannt wird, und verringert so das Schadensrisiko erheblich, da Hagelkörner in flacheren Winkeln auftrreffen.
Die innovative Lösung integriert sich in die SUNOPS-Plattform und erlaubt konfigurierbare Schwellenwerte basierend auf Hagelgröße und Unwahrscheinlichkeitsgrad von Stürmen. Zu den Hauptmerkmalen gehören zuverlässige, kontrollierte Bewegungen, strukturelle Integrität bei hohen Neigungswinkeln und flexible Risikomanagement-Optionen. Das System ermöglicht sowohl automatische Reaktionen auf Wetterwarnungen als auch manuelle Übersteuerung.
- Introduction of advanced 80° high angle stow feature provides enhanced protection against hail damage
- Integration with SUNOPS platform enables automated weather response and customizable protection parameters
- System design maintains structural integrity during extreme weather conditions while minimizing operational downtime
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Insights
FTC Solar's new high-angle stow feature addresses a critical industry risk, enhancing product value and competitive positioning.
FTC Solar has unveiled a significant product enhancement for its 1P Pioneer solar tracking system that directly addresses a multi-million dollar problem in the solar industry: hail damage. The new 80° high angle stow capability represents a sophisticated technical approach to asset protection that could meaningfully improve project economics in hail-prone regions.
The innovation leverages two key technical advantages. First, the steep tilt angle significantly reduces the module's exposed surface area during hail events. Second, the glancing angle of impact distributes and deflects force, rather than allowing direct perpendicular strikes that typically cause module damage. This physics-based solution is elegant in its simplicity yet effective in its application.
What's particularly valuable is the integration with FTC's SUNOPS™ software platform, which enables both automated and customizable protection protocols. The system can be configured to specific site conditions and risk profiles, allowing asset managers to optimize the balance between protection and production. By incorporating third-party weather alerts and providing manual override options, FTC has created a comprehensive risk management tool rather than just a mechanical feature.
From a competitive standpoint, this enhancement addresses a critical pain point for developers and asset owners operating in regions with significant hail exposure. While most tracker systems offer some form of stow protection, the combination of 80° tilt capability, robust structural design, and intelligent software integration represents a differentiated offering that could influence procurement decisions for projects in hail-prone markets like Texas, Colorado, and the Midwest. The timing is strategic as insurers have become increasingly cautious about hail risk exposure in solar portfolios, often requiring enhanced protection measures as a condition of coverage.
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTC Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FTCI), a leading innovator in solar tracking systems and software, today announced the launch of automated 80° high angle stow capability for its flagship 1P Pioneer tracker. This advanced hail mitigation feature, powered by FTC Solar’s intelligent SUNOPS™ software, delivers unmatched protection for solar assets in hail-prone regions.
Every year, hailstorms cause millions of dollars in damage to solar projects, threatening project returns and long-term reliability. FTC Solar’s new high angle stow strategy directly addresses this challenge by rapidly rotating Pioneer trackers to an 80° tilt position when hail is detected. At this steep angle, the modules expose far less surface area, causing hailstones to strike at shallow, glancing angles rather than directly. This deflects impact energy and significantly reduces the risk of damage.
“Solar developers and asset owners need certainty that their systems can withstand extreme weather,” said Yann Brandt, CEO of FTC Solar. “Our 80° high angle stow capability is purpose-built for that challenge. It combines intelligent forecasting, automated response, and robust tracker design to deliver real protection when it matters most.”
The system integrates seamlessly with SUNOPS, FTC Solar’s digital performance platform, enabling configurable thresholds based on hail size, storm probability, and site-specific conditions. Operators can automate stow actions from third-party weather alerts or trigger manual overrides at any time. Once storms pass, trackers return to normal operations – ensuring minimal downtime and maximum energy output.
Key enablers of the Pioneer high angle stow offering include:
- Reliable, Controlled Movement – 1P Pioneer’s drive system is engineered to move consistently and safely to high stow angles, ensuring protection is deployed without over-stressing components.
- Structural Integrity at High Tilt – Proprietary dampers and robust rail design maintain system stability and minimize stress during extreme stow conditions when high winds accompany hail risk.
- Flexible Risk Management – Operators can tailor hail stow parameters through SUNOPS, including thresholds, stow direction, and release timing, to align with site-specific risk profiles.
With automated 80° high angle stow FTC Solar sets a new standard in tracker resilience, ensuring solar assets remain protected and productive in even the harshest environments. Together, this solution provides developers with the tools to safeguard uptime and extend asset lifespans across diverse and challenging climates.
The Pioneer 1P tracker with high angle stow underscores FTC Solar’s commitment to delivering smarter tracker solutions combining intelligent software, robust engineering, and flexible design to meet the evolving demands of today’s solar projects.
To learn more about FTC Solar’s smart trackers, please contact us via email at info@ftcsolar.com, or at https://www.ftcsolar.com/start-conversation/
About FTC Solar Inc.
Founded in 2017 by a group of renewable energy industry veterans, FTC Solar is a leading provider of solar tracker systems, technology, software, and engineering services. Solar trackers significantly increase energy production at solar power installations by dynamically optimizing solar panel orientation to the sun. FTC Solar’s innovative tracker designs provide compelling performance and reliability, with an industry-leading installation cost-per-watt advantage.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on our current expectations and projections regarding our business, operations and other factors relating thereto. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and as such are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements as predictions of future events, as actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements because of several factors, including those described in more detail above and in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained therein. FTC Solar undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.
FAQ
What is FTC Solar's new 80° high angle stow feature for the Pioneer tracker?
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