Phoenix-Based Kinematics Acquires Mesa Solar Company RenuTrak

By Kyle Macdonald, COO, Silicon Oasis

Phoenix-based Kinematics is expanding its position in the global solar industry with the acquisition of RenuTrak, a solar repowering company based in Mesa.

Announced August 13, the deal brings together two Arizona companies focused on extending the performance and lifespan of solar infrastructure.

Kinematics develops motion control systems used in solar tracking, industrial and satellite applications. The company was founded in 1996, is headquartered in Phoenix and operates globally across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

RenuTrak specializes in an increasingly important part of the solar market: repowering existing solar installations.

As solar projects built over the past decade continue to age, owners face decisions about replacing or upgrading their tracking systems. Rather than replacing entire systems, RenuTrak focuses on upgrading critical components and controls to improve reliability, increase energy production and extend the useful life of existing assets.

The acquisition allows Kinematics to offer services across more of the solar asset lifecycle, from new installations through operations, maintenance and eventual repowering.

“This acquisition represents an important step in advancing our mission to deliver high-quality solar tracker solutions at scale,” Kinematics CEO John Payne said in announcing the deal.

RenuTrak will now operate as part of Kinematics. Founder and CEO Josh Fraughton will remain involved with the business and continue serving as the primary contact for repowering customers.

Kinematics also plans to support the combined operation through a dedicated Phoenix service center.

For Arizona's technology economy, the acquisition is notable for another reason: both companies were built here.

Arizona is often discussed nationally in the context of semiconductor fabs, data centers and large manufacturing projects moving into the state. But a healthy technology ecosystem also depends on Arizona companies building expertise, growing and acquiring other companies.

This deal is a small example of that cycle happening within the state.

A Phoenix technology company is acquiring a Mesa company, keeping its expertise within the ecosystem while giving the combined organization the resources to compete in a growing global market.

As the installed base of solar infrastructure continues to mature, maintaining and upgrading what has already been built could become a significant market of its own—and two Arizona companies are now approaching that opportunity together.