FGM-Fabral has established its steel racking company for the solar industry
Fabral Solar will work with EPC contractors and solar racking manufacturers
It will cater to commercial, residential and agricultural markets and new business sectors
Texas, US-based metal post-frame materials manufacturer FGM-Fabral has launched a new company to grab a piece of the growing solar PV market pie. The company will supply premium steel racking for solar panel installation, marking its entry into the solar energy industry.
The new entity Fabral Solar aims to be a one-stop-shop for all solar racking needs, according to its Co-founder John Cummings. It will leverage the resources of its parent company FGM-Fabral as a metal roofing system supplier and Fabral’s owner Flack Global Metals (FGM) to its advantage.
Fabral Solar will work directly with EPC contractors and solar racking manufacturers to ‘establish a supply chain for projects.’ It will offer specific Fabral steel products as customized solutions to fit a solar project’s design and installation needs. The new venture will also offer assembled kits and parts for buildings, carports, canopies, and solar farms.
It will start installing solar panels on its existing buildings and properties while catering to commercial, residential and agricultural markets, along with new business sectors.
“Our team will leverage the Fabral knowledge base in construction, to assist with the steel fabrication and roll-formed products utilized to support solar modules,” stated Cummings.
FGM-Fabral’s move into the solar industry follows the US government’s decision to impose 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminium from March 12, 2025 onwards. However, even before the new rules were announced, the US solar industry has been making efforts to bring in local content for its steel requirements.
Solar tracker companies have especially been tying up with local suppliers to qualify for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) including FTC Solar and Nextracker (see More Local Steel For Solar In US).
Solar module producer First Solar has also entered a partnership with Terrasmart to use the latter’s steel racking solutions for its Series 7 TR1 modules to have a ‘comprehensive domestically produced’ ground mounted offering for the US solar market.
Recently, Origami Solar launched its Arkansas factory for steel solar panel frames that it says will eliminate risky overseas supply chains and provide local content to companies for their projects (see Origami Solar Launches Solar Module Steel Frame Factory In US).
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