Linxon, Hitachi Energy and FTC Solar are joining forces to package utility-scale solar and storage into a more integrated project offering

Energy companies have become fully aware that collaborations are the most tried-and-tested method of achieving success in the execution of a project without having to carry all the burden and responsibilities involved in a project alone. In most instances, the key to a successful collaboration lies in the ability of companies to effectively complement each other and ensure that they play their part in a project. On that note, Linxon, Hitachi Energy and FTC Solar are joining forces to package utility-scale solar and storage into a more integrated project offering.

Analyzing the ways that Linxon, Hitachi Energy, and FTC Solar complement each other

Linxon is a global leader in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) solutions for electrical substations and infrastructure projects. The company is known for developing and delivering turnkey infrastructure solutions that power progress, drive growth, and benefit communities, clients, and the environment through sustainable excellence.  

Hitachi Energy is a global leader in electrification, powering the electricity era to meet the energy demands of modern society and the next 25 years to come. Over three billion people are known to depend on the company’s pioneering, mission-critical technologies to power their daily lives.

FTC Solar, a company founded in 2017 by a group of renewable energy industry veterans, is a leading provider of solar tracker systems, technology, software, and engineering services. Solar trackers significantly enhance energy production at solar power installations by dynamically optimizing solar panel orientation to the sun.  

Linxon, Hitachi Energy and FTC Solar are joining forces to package utility-scale solar and storage

A recent press release from Hitachi Energy revealed that Linxon, Hitachi Energy, and FTC Solar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a strategic collaboration framework to jointly pursue and deliver utility-scale solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects across North America and other mutually agreed markets.

The collaboration brings together companies that are determined to shape the next generation of energy production methods, considering that these are three industry leaders with the ability to complement each other. The companies will be looking to solve one of the standout challenges of the electricity era: scaling the infrastructure required to integrate more renewable energy, strengthen grid resilience, and deliver reliable and sustainable power.

By combining and aligning technology, manufacturing, and execution intelligence, the three companies aim to provide customers with a more integrated, scalable, and execution-centered solution that quickens project development, reduces delivery risk, and improves certainty across the entire project lifecycle.

As such, each one of the companies will be expected to play a specific role in ensuring that the project is executed successfully. For instance, Linxon is set to serve as the primary EPC integrator and market-facing contractor, providing full engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project execution services.

Delving deeper into the expectations of the companies in the collaboration

Hitachi Energy is expected to contribute utility-scale solar inverters, power conversion systems for BESS, and the automation and control systems to operate the plants. FTC Solar will provide solar trackers, racking systems, and related balance-of-system solutions. Together, the three companies are seeking to create a standardized and repeatable delivery model that assists customers in turning growing demand for renewable generation and electrification into bankable, executable projects with more speed and predictability.

Breaking down the significance of the three-company collaboration   

This initiative is one that industry experts will be closely watching to assess how effective it becomes and whether other entities can adopt similar strategies. Massimo Danieli, CEO of Grid Automation at Hitachi Energy, stated the following:

“The electricity era requires infrastructure that can expand faster, operate more intelligently and remain resilient as demand grows. Through this agreement, we can better align technology innovation, manufacturing capability, grid integration expertise and project execution to help customers accelerate renewable energy deployment.”

There is a growing consensus that electricity is becoming the next era of growth. As demand accelerates, the ability to expand, connect, and operate the grid at a quick pace is becoming an essential feature.