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.
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News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, FTCI gained 2.83%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -20.8% from its starting point during tracking. This price movement added approximately $3M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $97M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
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:
- 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 to95% , depending on site conditions.
- 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?
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What is PathFinder in FTC Solar's new tracking system?
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