Nexttracker LLC, the global leader in utility-scale solar trackers, and BCI Steel, a Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, announced this week the reopening of the historic Bethlehem Steel plant in nearby Leetsdale to manufacture solar tracking equipment for large-scale solar applications. energy. power plants.
The steel processing plant will contain both new and recycled BCI Steel equipment shipped to the US from plants in Malaysia and Brazil. Solar tracker products produced at the plant will serve the fast-growing solar markets in Pennsylvania, Indiana, New York and Ohio.
“BCI is proud to further Pittsburgh’s legacy as the heart of the American steel industry,” said Matt Carroll, CEO of BCI Steel. “This partnership with Nexttracker showcases our steel fabrication and quality control technology and unlocks additional domestic solar capacity with our low-cost manufacturing.”
“US Steel is pleased to provide steel that is mined, melted and made in America for Nextracker’s advanced solar tracking systems. We welcome the expansion of Nexttracker’s manufacturing in Pittsburgh and other US locations,” said Ken Jaycox, SVP and CCO, United States Steel Corporation. “Delivering industry-leading products to our customers using advanced technology and fully optimized facilities is key to US Steel’s Best for All® strategy.”
This is the third solar tracker manufacturing line that Nextracker has commissioned from a steel manufacturing partner in 2022 as part of its commitment to rebuilding America’s steel and solar supply chains. With additional capacity in Pittsburgh, Nexttracker is building out 10 GW of “Made in America” production capacity — enough to power 7.5 million homes. Earlier this year, Nexttracker opened a green steel tracker production line in Texas with JM Steel, and another specialty steel production line in Arizona with Atkore. As part of this reshoring initiative, Nextracker has already purchased more than 100,000 tons of US-made steel so far this year, enough for about 5 GW of solar trackers.
“BCI Steel’s Pittsburgh plant enables the rapid response times we need to meet growing demand from our customers in the Mid-Atlantic and Heartland regions,” said Dan Shugar, CEO and Founder of Nextracker. “This investment will increase the resilience of the U.S. solar supply chain and return manufacturing jobs, equipment and capacity to America.”
The newly reopened Pittsburgh plant is ideally located near river and rail transportation in a site with a rich manufacturing history. The factory is located on the same site where steel manufacturers built materials for tank landing ships (LSTs) during World War II.
The dedication ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries and leaders from some of the world’s largest clean energy companies, including EDPR CEO Sandhya Ganapathy and Lightsource Chief Operating Officer bp Ann Davies.
Learn more about Nexttracker’s other initiatives to bring manufacturing to America here.
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