NEXTracker, a solar tracker company and Flex subsidiary, has acquired BrightBox Technologies Inc., a provider of predictive modeling software and machine-learning technologies. NEXTracker says the integration of BrightBox’s technology will help accelerate completion time and increase the energy yield of its solar projects.
“This acquisition amplifies NEXTracker’s software engineering resources, including the addition of co-founders Allan Daly and Dr. Francesco Borrelli, a renowned expert in modeling and predictive control software systems,” comments NEXTracker CEO Dan Shugar.
“The team has a rich history in the optimization of complex energy-efficiency systems, advanced control of autonomous vehicles, and development of other pioneering feedback-based software,” Shugar continues. “This innovative platform builds on our existing wireless monitoring infrastructure that is being used to monitor the real-time angle and motor current of each and every tracker row we’ve deployed since 2013.”
Scott Graybeal, senior vice president of Flex Energy Solutions, adds, “This acquisition furthers our strategy to enable smart and connected solutions for the renewable energy market.”
Meanwhile, BrightBox founder Rob Koch says, “We’re thrilled to join NEXTracker; the synergies between our teams and parent company Flex – in solar and systems optimization – are tremendous. Our technology delivers automated commissioning and value optimization of high-value, industrial-scale application solar PV power plants.”
