AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTC Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FTCI), a leading provider of solar tracker systems, software and engineering services, today announced the results of an independent technical validation of its SUNPATH® tracker optimization software conducted by Enertis Applus+, an independent engineering and consulting firm serving the renewable energy industry.
The study evaluated SUNPATH’s performance across multiple operating utility-scale solar projects in the United States, comparing measured energy gains from operating sites against gains calculated using FTC Solar’s SUNPATH modeling tool.
The analysis found that the SUNPATH algorithm is beneficial for tracking systems and demonstrated robust energy gains. For three sites, modeled and measured gains were within approximately 0.5 percentage points of each other. With measured energy gains of up to 2.65%, compared to modeled gains of up to 3.15% over the corresponding evaluation periods.
The independent technical validation conducted by Enertis Applus+ concluded that SUNPATH demonstrated a level of accuracy and consistency appropriate for its intended use and consistent with industry standards required for the underwriting of production gains.
“Software has an increasing role to play in helping solar projects generate more energy, but for customers and project stakeholders those gains also need to be predictable and credible,” said Anthony Carroll, President and CEO of FTC Solar. “This independent validation gives customers even greater confidence that the additional production estimated from SUNPATH will translate into measurable performance in the field. More importantly, it provides a stronger basis for these gains to be considered as part of a project’s production assumptions.”
Turning Energy Optimization into Predictable Production
SUNPATH is designed to increase solar project energy production through two complementary optimization strategies: Terrain-Based Backtracking and Diffuse Optimization.
Terrain-Based Backtracking uses site-specific elevation data and tracker geometry to adjust and optimize tracker angles across uneven terrain, helping reduce row-to-row shading that can occur with conventional backtracking.
Diffuse Optimization adjusts tracker positioning during diffuse-dominated weather conditions to improve irradiance capture and increase energy production. SUNPATH uses weather forecasts and site-specific information to optimize tracker positioning without requiring additional row-level sensors or a learning period.
Because the potential benefit of these optimization strategies varies based on factors including terrain, ground coverage ratio, and weather conditions; accurately estimating the expected production gain is an important part of evaluating project economics.
The study conducted by Enertis Applus+ assessed measurable incremental production at operating projects generated by SUNPATH, and how closely FTC Solar’s modeled estimates aligned with measured field performance.
The validation also included field observation of SUNPATH operating behavior, confirming that tracker rows across differing east-west slopes operated at different tilt angles consistent with SUNPATH’s terrain-based backtracking strategy to reduce inter-row shading.
"As the solar industry increasingly relies on advanced modeling tools, independent validation is essential. Enertis Applus+ brought the technical expertise and impartiality needed to independently evaluate FTC Solar’s SUNPATH software and provide confidence in the results," said Iñaki Herrero, Enertis Applus+ Managing Director for North America.
The findings provide third-party validation of FTC Solar’s approach to using software and tracker-level controls to increase energy production while giving developers, independent engineers and financing partners greater confidence in the ability to estimate those gains before commercial operation.
To learn more about SUNPATH and FTC Solar’s digital solutions, please contact info@ftcsolar.com or visit FTC Solar’s website. www.ftcsolar.com/sunpath/
About Enertis
Enertis Applus+ is a global consulting, engineering and quality control firm with extensive expertise in the solar, wind and BESS industries. It has a track-record of more than 15 years and an accumulated experience of more than 400 GW worldwide and 100 GWh in energy storage. Since 2021 it is part of Applus+, one of the world's leading companies in the testing, inspection and certification sector, with over 20 years of experience in the renewable sector.
Enertis Applus+ mission is to ensure maximum profitability for customers and proper risk management of their projects by providing innovative services with high added value. With a track-record of 6,000 projects in more than 65 countries, Enertis Applus+ has offices in the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, South Africa and China. Learn more at https://enertisapplus.com/.
About FTC Solar
Founded in 2017 by a group of renewable energy industry veterans, FTC Solar is a global provider of solar tracker systems, technology, software and engineering services. Solar trackers significantly increase energy production at solar power installations by dynamically optimizing solar panel orientation to the sun. FTC Solar’s innovative tracker designs provide compelling performance and reliability, with an industry-leading installation cost-per-watt advantage. For more information, visit www.ftcsolar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on our current expectations and projections regarding our business, operations and other factors relating thereto. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and as such are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements as predictions of future events, as actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements because of several factors, including those described in more detail above and in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained therein. FTC Solar undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.
