GameChange Energy responds to Nextpower lawsuit with another lawsuit

Two big makers of solar tracker systems — the motorized mounts that tilt rooftop and ground solar panels to follow the sun — are now suing each other over patents. This is a business dispute between manufacturers, not a program or rebate change, so it doesn't require any action from homeowners. But it's worth knowing about if you're weighing solar equipment from either company.

GameChange Energy has sued Nextpower, claiming Nextpower's NX Horizon tracker (with a feature called Hail Pro) copies a GameChange patent for "self-shielding" trackers. That design tilts panel rows steeply, 60 to 80 degrees, when winds hit 70 mph or higher, to reduce wind damage to the array. GameChange got the patent in October 2025 and is now seeking money damages and a jury trial. This follows an earlier lawsuit from June, in which Nextpower sued GameChange first, claiming GameChange's Genius Tracker infringes three of its own patents covering self-powered tracker components and software.

For most homeowners this dispute won't change anything about installing solar, since these tracker systems are mainly used in larger ground-mounted arrays rather than typical residential rooftop setups. But if a legal ruling eventually restricts either company's tracker designs, it could affect equipment availability or pricing down the line. For now, there's nothing to do but watch how the cases play out.