FTC Solar Launches Enhanced Pioneer+ Terrain Following Tracker at RE+ to Minimize Grading and Speed Installation

Rhea-AI Summary

FTC Solar (NASDAQ:FTCI) has unveiled its enhanced Pioneer+ Terrain Following (TF) tracker, a solar tracking system designed to minimize site grading and accelerate construction timelines. The system features mechanical articulation offering +/- 10 degrees of adjustability at the center post and up to 1.5 degrees at line posts, potentially reducing grading volumes by up to 95% in some projects.

The tracker integrates with FTC's proprietary PathFinder terrain analysis engine, which evaluates solar sites pre-construction and automatically optimizes cut and fill requirements. The system maintains design flexibility with universal torque tubes and module agnostic rails, supporting faster installation while preserving natural drainage patterns and limiting soil disturbance.

Insights

Solar Technology Engineer

FTC Solar's new Pioneer+ TF tracker reduces grading needs by 95%, potentially boosting margins and expanding addressable market while enhancing ESG credentials.

FTC Solar's launch of the Pioneer+ Terrain Following (TF) tracker represents a significant technological advancement for the solar construction industry. The system's impressive ±10 degrees of mechanical adjustability at center posts and up to 1.5 degrees articulation at line posts enables adaptation to natural terrain contours, potentially reducing grading volumes by up to 95% on suitable sites. This capability directly addresses one of the most significant cost drivers and schedule risks in utility-scale solar development.

The integration with FTC's proprietary PathFinder terrain analysis software creates a comprehensive solution that optimizes site design before construction begins. This computational approach to terrain adaptation reduces the risk of expensive mid-project design changes that typically plague complex topography installations.

From a technical perspective, the system's universal torque tubes and module-agnostic rails demonstrate sophisticated engineering flexibility. The 18-inch undulation and reveal adjustment capacity significantly exceeds industry standards, allowing developers to consider sites previously deemed too challenging or expensive.

Beyond construction economics, the reduced grading requirement preserves natural drainage patterns and minimizes soil disturbance - addressing growing environmental compliance challenges in the permitting process. This positions FTC Solar favorably as regulatory scrutiny of land disturbance intensifies across major solar markets.

Renewable Energy Market Analyst

This product innovation addresses critical pain points in the utility-scale solar development process. Site preparation typically represents 15-25% of total project costs, with grading requirements being particularly problematic on complex terrain. The Pioneer+ TF's ability to reduce grading by up to 95% could significantly improve project economics for developers working in regions with varied topography.

The market timing is strategic, as developers increasingly face limited options for flat, easily developable land near interconnection points. By enabling cost-effective development on more challenging sites, FTC Solar expands its addressable market while providing customers access to locations that might offer better grid connection options or lower land acquisition costs.

The PathFinder software integration represents a valuable digital differentiation in what has historically been a hardware-focused sector. This computational approach to site optimization aligns with the industry's growing emphasis on digital tools to reduce soft costs and minimize execution risk.

For FTC Solar, this launch strengthens their competitive position against larger tracker manufacturers. By focusing on terrain adaptability rather than competing solely on hardware cost, they've created a meaningful differentiation point that addresses real customer pain points. The ESG benefits of reduced grading provide additional selling points as project developers face growing scrutiny from both regulators and investors regarding environmental impact.

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTC Solar today launched its 1P Pioneer+ Terrain Following (TF) tracker, designed to minimize site grading while accelerating construction timelines. Engineered for complex terrain, Pioneer+ TF adapts to natural site contours-reducing civil work, preserving site integrity, and maintaining high performance and reliability.

Key differentiators of FTC Solar’s Pioneer+ TF are:

1. Mechanical Articulation:
   Offers +/- 10 degrees of mechanical adjustability at the center post and up to 1.5 degrees of articulation at each line post, with undulation and reveal adjustment up to 18 inches. This level of terrain conformity can cut grading volumes significantly, in some projects up to 95%, depending on site conditions.

2. PathFinder Integration:
   The tracker is supported by FTC Solar’s proprietary terrain analysis engine PathFinder which rapidly and precisely evaluates solar sites before construction. The software ingests layouts and topographic surveys, maps true slopes and constraints, runs rapid iterations, and automatically balances cut and fill to minimize grading and aligns trackers to actual contours, helping avoid costly late-stage design changes.

By preserving natural drainage patterns and limiting soil disturbance, Pioneer+ TF supports erosion control, habitat protection, and permitting outcomes that strengthen a project’s ESG profile.

Being an extension of the Pioneer tracker, design flexibility is already built in, with universal torque tubes, module agnostic rails, and intuitive components that enable faster installation and accommodate late-stage module changes.

“We’re committed to helping our customers tackle the toughest site challenges with smarter, more adaptable tracker solutions,” said Yann Brandt, CEO of FTC Solar. “With Pioneer+ TF and PathFinder, we’re not just minimizing grading - we’re enabling faster builds, better economics, and broader site viability. This is the kind of flexibility the industry needs, and FTC Solar is built to deliver.”

The Pioneer+ Terrain Following tracker is a key part of FTC Solar’s commitment to delivering Smarter Tracker solutions that enhance performance and reliability while addressing the growing complexity of today’s solar project sites. Pioneer+ TF represents another important milestone in enabling customers to build successfully on challenging terrain while reducing cost and risk.

To learn more about FTC Solar’s Smart Trackers, please contact us via the link below.

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 are the key features of FTC Solar's new Pioneer+ Terrain Following tracker?

The Pioneer+ TF tracker features +/- 10 degrees of mechanical adjustability at the center post, 1.5 degrees articulation at line posts, and up to 18 inches of undulation adjustment, significantly reducing grading requirements.

How much can FTC Solar's Pioneer+ TF tracker reduce grading volumes?

The Pioneer+ TF tracker can reduce grading volumes by up to 95% in some projects, depending on site conditions.

What is PathFinder in FTC Solar's new tracking system?

PathFinder is FTC Solar's proprietary terrain analysis engine that evaluates solar sites before construction, maps slopes and constraints, runs iterations, and automatically balances cut and fill to minimize grading.

How does FTC Solar's Pioneer+ TF tracker support environmental sustainability?

The tracker supports environmental sustainability by preserving natural drainage patterns, limiting soil disturbance, and enhancing erosion control and habitat protection, strengthening projects' ESG profiles.

What design flexibility features does the Pioneer+ TF tracker offer?

The tracker features universal torque tubes, module agnostic rails, and intuitive components that enable faster installation and accommodate late-stage module changes.