David Hardy Joined Solar Tracker Manufacturer Nextpower

The former GE Vernova leader will serve as chief business development officer for the solar industry firm.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Energy

Isometric editorial illustration of a modular solar tracker system in a sparse landscape, representing industrial renewable energy technology. — David Hardy has transitioned from GE Vernova to become the chief business development officer at solar tracker manufacturer Nextpower, as the company scales its operations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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David Hardy has left his role at GE Vernova to join solar tracker producer Nextpower as its new chief business development officer. Nextpower holds over 50% of the U.S. solar market and aims to expand its technology solutions platform under the leadership of founder Daniel Shugar.

Why it matters

The appointment comes as Nextpower leverages 45X tax credits for domestic manufacturing following its July 2026 acquisition of Prevalon Energy. Hardy joins the company as it scales its operations in response to the rapid expansion of U.S. solar and battery storage capacity.

Nextpower manages a solar tracking system portfolio designed to adjust panels for optimal sunlight exposure. The company currently benefits from federal 45X tax credits, a program intended to incentivize domestic clean energy manufacturing.

The players

David Hardy

He is the former head of Orsted Americas and GE Vernova who now serves as the chief business development officer at Nextpower.

Daniel Shugar

He is the founder of Nextpower who established the solar tracker company in 2013.

Nextpower

This is a solar technology firm that specializes in tracker systems and holds over half of the U.S. market share.

GE Vernova

This is an energy equipment manufacturer that recently faced revenue declines in its wind power business segment.

The details

Nextpower produces specialized tracking systems that maximize sunlight exposure for solar installations. The firm is aggressively growing its footprint in the renewable sector following the acquisition of Prevalon Energy in July 2026.

Nextpower was founded in 2013.
The South Fork project began operations in March 2024.
Hardy began his tenure at GE Vernova in January 2025.
The U.S. added 11GW of solar and 7.4GW of battery storage in the first half of 2026.
Nextpower acquired Prevalon Energy in July 2026.

Deeper Dive

This appointment aligns with the broader industry trend of capitalizing on the 45X tax credits, which provide incentives for domestic renewable energy component manufacturing. The strategic focus on integrating storage solutions through acquisitions signals a move toward total energy management platforms.

The expansion of Nextpower’s technology platform could lead to more efficient solar and storage installations across the U.S. power grid. Consumers may see more reliable energy output from projects that utilize these advanced solar tracking and battery management systems.

The takeaway

The move reflects a significant talent migration from traditional wind power manufacturing toward high-growth solar and storage technology. Investors and observers should monitor how this new leadership shapes the integration of solar tracking with newly acquired battery storage assets.