Driving Solar Innovation in MENA: A Conversation with Preeti Taneja, Sales Director – MENA, Nextracker

In the rapidly evolving solar energy landscape of the MENA region, Nextracker stands out as a leader, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation. At the helm of its MENA operations is Preeti Taneja, an expert in renewable energy, whose strategic vision and dedication is playing a pivotal role in expanding Nextracker’s footprint across the region. In this exclusive interview, Preeti shares her insights on the transformative role of solar trackers, the latest technological advancements from Nextracker, and the strategic initiatives driving the company’s success in the MENA market.

• How will the evolving role of solar trackers influence the growth and efficiency of solar projects in the MENA region?

I’m thrilled to be part of Nextracker’s team, driving the adoption of innovative solar solutions in the MENA region. According to Wood Mackenzie’s Global Solar PV Tracker Market Share Report 2024, global solar tracker shipments rose by 28% in 2023 to 93GW, while the growth in the Middle East was an impressive 60%. The rapid growth of the solar tracker industry is driven by three major factors: i) massive boost from the local governments, particularly in KSA and UAE with ambitious renewable energy targets driving new solar projects ii) advancement in tracker technology significantly enhancing energy yield iii) declining costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and the increasing competitiveness of solar energy have spurred demand for solar trackers, as they enable higher energy production and better returns on investment.

The evolving role of solar trackers is poised to significantly influence the growth and efficiency of solar projects in the MENA region. Solar trackers optimise the angle of solar panels, ensuring optimum sunlight exposure and greatly improving energy generation efficiency. Nextracker’s single-axis solar tracker solutions, for instance, can generate up to 30% more energy than fixed-tilt systems, depending on site conditions. This optimisation is critical for long-term competitive Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), making solar electricity an economically feasible option.

The selection of solar trackers for photovoltaic (PV) projects is significantly influenced by the region’s varied landscapes and specific environmental challenges. Trackers are crucial in enhancing the resilience of PV systems against wind and extreme weather conditions. Advanced, intelligently designed solar trackers can adjust panel orientation before or during adverse weather events, featuring smart stowing capabilities and sophisticated weather management software. When combined with suitable PV panel technology and well-defined operational practices for the plant, these tracker systems provide an optimal strategy for mitigating the impact of natural events.

With the continued success of solar power, sites for new utility-scale developments become more challenging. Undulating terrain used to make projects risky and costly. Tracker solutions that adhere to the natural terrain of the land, are becoming the need of the hour.

In addition to boosting energy production, solar trackers also improve grid stability, making them essential in the region’s evolving energy landscape. By leveraging solar trackers, the MENA region can achieve more efficient and sustainable solar projects, supporting both local and global renewable energy goals.

• Can you tell our readers about some of the latest technologies and solutions Nextracker is developing or has recently introduced to the market?

As part of the Nextracker team, I’m excited to share that we are at the forefront of innovation in the solar industry, continuously developing new technologies and solutions to enhance solar energy production and efficiency. With over 100GW shipped to date, Nextracker is the global leader in solar trackers.

TrueCapture™ is an intelligent, self-adjusting tracker control system that increases typical PV power plant energy by up to 4%. TrueCapture boosts solar power plant production by continuously optimizing the tracking algorithm of each individual row in response to site features and changing weather conditions. Its smart algorithm adjusts the tilt angle of each tracker row in the array to avoid any loss due to diffused lighting or shading. Its Split Boost technology maximizes energy capture from large-format solar modules.

Nextracker’s NX Horizon-XTR™, conforms to the natural terrain, minimizing extensive earthworks, reducing steel pile lengths, and minimizing soil disturbance, ensuring environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness. This innovation significantly accelerates project construction, essential for Middle East’s growing energy demands.

When solar power plants are designed to meet the unique needs of arable land, AgriPV can provide farming communities with numerous benefits, such as reduced water usage, crop protection, and job creation. The synergistic benefits also mean improved solar production. Nextracker has worked closely with developers and landowners to configure solutions that can stow modules for harvesting, O&M, or cattle grazing. Built on Nextracker’s proven and bankable NX Horizon platform, Nextracker Agrivoltaics brings together industry leading solar tracker performance with highly configurable solutions for a wide variety of AgriPV applications.

We have also introduced the industry’s first low-carbon solar tracker solution with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) documentation. This solution reduces the carbon footprint of our solar trackers by up to 35%, helping our customers meet their ESG goals while promoting sustainable energy production.

We have bolstered our foundations solutions with two significant recent acquisitions – Ojjo and Solar Pile International, to provide comprehensive foundation technology solutions for utility-scale solar projects, further enhancing our product offerings and capabilities.

• Could you share the details and significance of Nextracker’s recent 1 GW project win in KSA for the region?

Nextracker was selected by ACWA Power and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) to provide its all-terrain tracker NX Horizon-XTR™ for a 1.17 GW installation at Al Kahfah Solar Power Plant, a strategically important renewable energy project in Saudi’s Central Province that is part of the National Renewable Energy Program.

Al Kahfah is one of the three major solar PV Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects being led by Badeel and ACWA Power. This solar plant will provide clean energy to the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) as part of the renewable energy projects essential to meet the targets of Vision 2030 and the Ministry of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Program to increase renewables in the nation’s energy mix to 50% by 2030. Global construction giant L&T has also been awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the Al Kahfah Solar Power Plant.

The Al Kahfah project will deploy Nextracker’s NX Horizon-XTR smart solar tracker systems. The area the solar plant will occupy is dominated by a hilly, hard-soil land surface that would typically require a combination of explosives and grading machines to flatten the land the new solar tracking system will cover. First delivered in 2018 and proven on dozens of utility scale projects successfully operating around the world, Nextracker’s all-terrain solar tracker system can conform to the natural terrain to reduce the need for costly land grading while significantly reducing environmental impact.

The Al Kahfah project in Saudi Arabia represents Nextracker’s largest deployment of its NX Horizon-XTR solar tracker technology in a single order to date. This planned Al Kahfah installation has also contributed to Nextracker achieving a significant milestone in the growing Middle East, India, and Africa (MEIA) solar energy market. This 1.17 GW order further reinforces Nextracker’s commitment to this market, having over 10 GW of smart solar trackers either operational or under fulfilment across the region.

• What are the biggest opportunities for solar energy development in the MENA region over the next five years, and how is Nextracker planning to leverage them?

The MENA region offers tremendous opportunities for solar energy development over the next five years, driven by high solar irradiance, supportive government policies, and ambitious renewable energy targets. Significant growth in utility-scale solar projects is expected, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Egypt.

Nextracker plans to leverage these opportunities through several key strategies:

1. Innovation in Solar Tracking Technology: Continuous innovation in our solar tracking technology is a priority. We are committed to advancing research and development efforts to further reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and enhance the performance of our products.
2. Localization: By localizing our operations, we ensure supply chain stability, cost-effectiveness, and time efficiency, which are crucial for the success of large-scale solar projects.
3. Supporting Sustainable Energy Goals: Our efforts are aligned with the region’s sustainable energy goals. We aim to support the rapid growth of the solar energy sector in the MENA region through our advanced solutions and commitment to excellence.

• As the Director of Nextracker MENA, how do you strategize and navigate the business challenges in the region to drive growth and success for the company?

Navigating the dynamic and often challenging landscape of the MENA region requires a blend of innovation, adaptability, and deep local knowledge. As the Director of Nextracker MENA, my strategy revolves around three core pillars:

1. Innovation and Technological Advancement: By continuously improving our solar tracker technology and integrating advanced software solutions like TrueCapture, we offer our customers the most efficient and reliable solar energy solutions on the market. This not only enhances the performance of solar projects but also maximizes their financial viability.
2. Localization of Supply Chain and Manufacturing: Localizing our supply chain and manufacturing processes is key to reducing costs and mitigating project execution risk by ensuring the timely delivery of our products. This approach enhances our competitiveness and supports local economies by creating jobs and fostering industry growth.
3. Building Strong Relationships: We prioritize strong relationships with our customers and stakeholders. By understanding their needs and providing tailored solutions, we ensure customer satisfaction and long-term success. Additionally, our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility aligns with the broader goals of the region, positioning Nextracker as a key player in the MENA solar energy market.