In the first quarter of 2026, the global solar tracking brackets industry continues to heat up amid the wave of energy transition. With the arrival of the full grid‑parity era for PV, tracking brackets – thanks to their significant power generation gains and LCOE advantages – are rapidly becoming the “standard configuration” for large‑scale ground‑mounted power plants. At the same time, technological innovations such as AI‑driven smart control and all‑terrain adaptability are emerging in an endless stream, and the competitive landscape is quietly being reshaped.

1. Market Overview: Policy Phase‑Out Drives Technology Upgrade, Tracking Brackets Become a Cost‑Reduction Tool

At the beginning of 2026, the signal of PV subsidy phase‑out has become increasingly clear. According to the latest policy direction from the energy authorities, subsidy intensity will continue to be reduced until complete withdrawal. The profitability logic for new projects has shifted from “earning subsidies” to “competing on electricity prices”. In this context, the combination of bifacial modules and tracking brackets has become the core means of reducing levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Some calculations show that this combination can bring LCOE down to about RMB 0.25/kWh.

Market data confirm this trend. According to AskCI Consulting, the global PV tracking bracket market size was approximately RMB 316.31 billion in 2024, is expected to grow to RMB 349.93 billion in 2025, and is likely to exceed RMB 500 billion by 2030. The Chinese market also maintains strong growth: the market size reached RMB 23.959 billion in 2024, up 20.48% year‑on‑year, and is expected to exceed RMB 30 billion in 2026.

2. Technology Frontier: AI Smart Tracking Leads Industry Transformation

At the start of 2026, several leading companies have been intensively focusing on AI smart tracking technology, pushing competition from “hardware parameters” to “algorithmic capability”.

Arctech releases SkyLine II all‑terrain smart tracking system. On March 25, at the 16th China International Clean Energy Expo, Arctech officially launched its SkyLine II all‑terrain smart tracking system. The system inherits Arctech’s world‑first multi‑point parallel drive technology, incorporates AI smart control strategies, and can adapt to slopes up to 30°. It enables efficient power generation without large‑scale land levelling, reducing earthwork by 90% and pile foundation costs by 60%, while increasing overall power generation by 8%. Currently, the SkyLine II series has been deployed globally at over 50 GW.

TrinaTracker releases SuperTrack 2.0 white paper. On January 22, TrinaTracker published the SuperTrack 2.0 technical white paper. Using a “technology + revenue” dual‑core model, it deeply integrates time‑of‑use electricity pricing mechanisms and employs six core AI optimization strategies to boost generation revenue during high‑price periods. According to the white paper, in high‑irradiation areas of Inner Mongolia, SuperTrack 2.0 can increase annual generation revenue by 7.74% compared to conventional tracking. TrinaTracker noted that compared with fixed brackets, tracking brackets can change the generation curve of PV plants, allowing more power to be produced during high‑price morning and evening hours, which better matches time‑of‑use tariffs – an effective technical means to enhance revenue in a market‑trading environment.

3. Accelerated Global Expansion, Chinese Companies Deeply Engaged in Europe and the Middle East

In the first quarter of 2026, a number of Chinese tracking bracket companies accelerated their global expansion, making frequent appearances at major international energy exhibitions and deeply participating in the energy transition in Europe and the Middle East.

Arctech deepens its footprint in Italy. In early March, Arctech exhibited at KEY ENERGY 2026 in Italy, highlighting the SkyLine II, SkyWing II tracking systems and its “Tracking+” smart energy solution. Both systems incorporate multi‑point parallel drive technology and AI control strategies, suitable for hilly terrain and extreme weather conditions in Italy and Southern Europe. Arctech has built a complete operational system in Europe, with its Spain headquarters covering R&D centres, testing sites, warehousing hubs and local technical service teams.

Clenergy focuses on agrivoltaic scenarios. Also at the Italian exhibition, Clenergy showcased its digital intelligent PV tracking system ezTracker D2P120, which became a highlight. Equipped with AI smart tracking algorithms and fully considering practical agricultural production needs, the system intelligently adjusts module angles to achieve a win‑win situation for PV generation and farming.

Antai New Energy pushes into the Middle East. In mid‑January, Antai New Energy appeared at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2026 in Abu Dhabi, exhibiting core products including the AT‑Spark smart tracking system. The system uses the SmartTrail intelligent control system, with dedicated protection strategies to ensure safe plant operation. Its hardware has passed 42 extreme tests, featuring IP65 protection class and C5 corrosion resistance, well suited to the harsh conditions of high temperature, high irradiation and heavy sandstorms in the Middle East.

4. Competitive Landscape: Wood Mackenzie’s First Manufacturer Ranking – Arctech Second in Global Shipments

In February 2026, the global consulting firm Wood Mackenzie released its first‑ever comprehensive ranking of PV tracking bracket manufacturers. Using a new weighted scoring system, it evaluated 24 leading manufacturers from five countries. US‑based NextPower topped the list, China’s TrinaTracker came second, and US‑based Array Technologies ranked third.

The ranking’s assessment methodology was noteworthy – ESG & corporate social responsibility commitment carried a 30% weight, after‑sales service & warranty and R&D investment each 15%, supply chain stability 15%, while traditional metrics such as capacity utilisation accounted for only 10%. A Wood Mackenzie senior research analyst commented: “A company’s competitive edge is no longer determined only by shipment volumes. Comprehensive capabilities in forward‑looking ESG initiatives, service quality, and resilient supply chains are becoming the new core competitiveness.” Notably, 99% of global PV tracking bracket shipments come from A‑level manufacturers, and A‑level certification has become an important reference signal for project developers and EPCs when selecting suppliers.

In terms of shipment volume, Arctech’s global market share of tracking bracket systems reached 16% in 2026, ranking second worldwide (first place 23%). As of end‑2025, TrinaTracker’s cumulative global deliveries of smart tracking systems exceeded 35 GW, covering more than 70 countries across five continents.

5. Capacity Expansion and Industry Chain Dynamics

The first quarter of 2026 also saw continuous news on capacity expansion.

Dongsheng New Energy’s smart factory breaks ground. On March 23, Dongsheng New Energy’s planned RMB 500 million smart factory project officially started construction in the Hailing Industrial Park, Taizhou. It will build a new 20,000‑square‑metre smart factory, forming an annual production capacity of 20,000 tonnes of PV brackets. The company’s products have been repeatedly listed among China’s top ten PV bracket brands, and it holds a leading domestic position in distributed PV brackets and flexible PV brackets.

German Sunotec settles in Taicang. In January, Sunotec GmbH signed a new energy project agreement to settle in Taicang, planning to invest in a PV tracking bracket production base. It will mainly produce fixed brackets, tracking brackets and related components, with an estimated annual output value of approximately RMB 550 million after completion.

Arctech’s order backlog hits record high. According to disclosures, as of the end of January 2026, Arctech’s order backlog reached RMB 7.51 billion, of which high‑margin tracking bracket orders accounted for about RMB 6.434 billion – an all‑time high. In addition, the company signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement for 12 GWh of energy storage with EVE Energy, officially entering the energy storage track and creating a second growth curve.

Outlook: Technology‑Driven Development and Global Synergy

Based on the first quarter of 2026, the solar tracking bracket industry shows three major trends: First, AI smart algorithms are moving from “nice‑to‑have” to core competitiveness, and the technology gap among leading companies could widen further on the algorithmic front. Second, with the implementation of policy details such as the EU’s Net‑Zero Industry Act, PV companies will need to compete not only on product performance but also on local service capabilities and ESG performance. Third, against the backdrop of accelerated global capacity deployment, the tracking bracket industry is evolving from pure product competition to integrated competition in “technology + service + ecosystem”.

As the full grid‑parity era for PV arrives, tracking brackets, as a key link to enhance generation revenue and reduce LCOE, are expected to see continued market penetration growth, and the industry outlook remains promising.