The overarching theme at RE+ 2024 for ARRAY and our customers was innovation—across products, systems, and approaches. As the solar industry continues to scale, innovation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.
This year, ARRAY showcased some of our latest advancements, including the new Array DuraTrack with SkyLink™ & Array OmniTrack with SkyLink™ and the highly anticipated 77° tracker, which promises to set new benchmarks for hail protection and wind mitigation.
I was able to experience the event as both an exhibitor and a speaker and I wanted to share my top takeaways from the week, which I believe will have a lasting impact on the solar industry.
ARRAY’s 77° Tracker: Setting New Standards in Hail Protection
We kicked off the week by announcing our groundbreaking 77-degree stow capability, a feature that sets a new benchmark in hail protection for solar tracker systems. As weather patterns grow increasingly unpredictable and insurance companies raise their standards for risk management, our industry needs to be proactive in safeguarding solar assets.
The 77-degree high-tilt tracker is designed with this in mind and will offer superior protection not only against hail but also high winds. The integration of our proven ARRAY SmarTrack™ Hail Alert Response software allows solar panels to stow quickly and effectively before a hail event strikes, reducing the potential for damage and safeguarding valuable investments.
Sustainability on Display: Our Reusable Packaging Initiative
RE+ also gave us the opportunity to spotlight another important innovation—our new reusable packaging solution. Designed to reduce waste and enhance efficiency, this packaging reflects our commitment to sustainability and streamlining supply chain operations.
By replacing traditional cardboard with durable plastic casing, we’re enabling our customers to reduce their environmental footprint while improving logistics. With the potential to last up to 15 years, this packaging innovation significantly reduces the number of trucks required for transport and cuts labor costs associated with material handling.
The overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers highlights the industry’s growing focus on sustainability—not just in the energy produced but in every aspect of the supply chain.
ARRAY team visiting the ASGA booth.
Agrivoltaics: Merging Solar and Agriculture
Another standout moment from RE+ was seeing the growing interest in agrivoltaics—an exciting intersection of the solar industry with agricultural practices. Agrivoltaic practices, such as solar grazing, offer a winning solution for managing vegetation while maximizing land use and creating new revenue streams for farmers and agricultural communities.
At the conference, we were fortunate to have our solar trackers featured in a live agrivoltaic demonstration in collaboration with the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA). This demonstration, showcasing sheep grazing beneath solar panels on our ARRAY STI H250™ solar tracker, highlighted the potential of agrivoltaics to reduce the need for mechanical mowing and herbicides, all while benefiting local farmers.
The conversations sparked by this display underscored the exciting potential for agrivoltaics to scale across the industry, enhancing both sustainability and community engagement in solar projects.
Jessica Lawrence-Vaca (CENTER) speaking as part of the the “Integrated Insights Across U.S. Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains” panel.
Looking Ahead: Expert Insights from U.S. Manufacturing Leaders
Personally, one of the best parts of RE+ was the chance to engage with thought leaders and policymakers on the key challenges and opportunities facing our industry. As a panelist on the “Integrated Insights Across U.S. Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains” panel, I had the honor of representing ARRAY as the original American solar manufacturing success story and discussing these critical issues alongside experts (and friends) such as Justin Baca from SEIA, Cora Dickson from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Kelly Speakes-Backman from Invenergy, and Arthur Haubenstock from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The conversation highlighted the pressing need to strengthen domestic manufacturing and the importance of supply chain resilience, especially as demand for solar products continues to rise. While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has given a significant boost to U.S.-based solar manufacturing, challenges such as tariffs and supply chain bottlenecks persist. At ARRAY, we are committed to working closely with policymakers to ensure that the regulatory environment supports the growth of domestic manufacturing, job creation, and community development. Please see the article in Utility Dive to go deeper into the conversation.
RE+ 2024 was a powerful reminder of how far the solar industry has come—and how much potential we have yet to unlock. From the unveiling of ARRAY’s 77° tracker to our commitment to sustainability through initiatives like reusable packaging and agrivoltaics, our industry is innovating at an unprecedented pace. However, to realize the full potential of these advancements, we must continue to foster collaboration across sectors, from government and industry to local communities.
The insights and discussions from RE+ 2024 will undoubtedly help us navigate this dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape, propelling us toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future. By leveraging innovation, partnerships with our customers and industry partners, and sound policy support, ARRAY is well-positioned to continue leading the charge toward a cleaner, more reliable energy grid.
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