Image: Nextracker

US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has announced the acquisition of Origami Solar, a company specializing in steel frame technology for solar modules, in a deal valued at approximately US$53 million.

The acquisition is expected to accelerate the innovation and scaling of sustainable steel frame solutions for the solar industry. Origami’s US-based, recycled steel frames provide strength, performance, and lower carbon emissions, while integrating seamlessly into existing module manufacturing lines.

Origami also brings specialized frame design and engineering expertise, complementing Nextracker’s established panel-tracker integration capabilities.

“From a structural engineering perspective, the shift from aluminium to steel is compelling – steel offers greater strength at competitive cost and significantly reduced carbon intensity,” said Dan Shugar, CEO of Nextracker.

“Most importantly, it helps to unlock opportunities for localised manufacturing from steel coil through final fabrication. And with an estimated total addressable market (TAM) in excess of US$750 million in the US alone, we see this as a substantial new business opportunity for Nextracker.”

Origami Solar began production of domestic steel frames earlier this year at a facility in Arkansas, and has since secured supply agreements with multiple US-based module manufacturers, including Bila Solar and Heliene, as well as with Solx in Puerto Rico.

This acquisition positions Nextracker to play a central role in advancing low-carbon, US-made solar supply chains, while tapping into a rapidly expanding market for sustainable module framing solutions.