Solar digital tech startup Terabase Energy is acquiring PlantPredict, a predictive solar energy modeling tool, from US solar tech firm First Solar for an undisclosed sum.

Terabase is developing a digital, automation, and smart device ecosystem which aims to drive down solar power prices below $0.01 per kWh by 2025. Its proprietary system is currently used by more than 400 engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, developers, and independent power producers in 28 countries.

PlantPredict is a predictive solar energy modeling tool that was developed by First Solar for utility-scale PV applications. PlantPredict is designed to reduce energy delivery uncertainty by generating field-verified energy predictions. PlantPredict has been used by thousands of users around the world over the past 10 years and has been used in the financing of gigawatts of solar power plants.

The First Solar PlantPredict team will join Terabase following the closing of the transaction, which is expected to take place in October 2021. This is Terabase’s second acquisition of the year, following its deal to integrate operational technology provider REPlantSolutions earlier this year.

“Adding an industry-leading, bankable, cloud-based performance tool like PlantPredict to our expanding suite of technical solutions makes strategic sense for Terabase,” said Matt Campbell, Terabase CEO. “The future of performance modelling is tighter integration with software-based design, cost estimating and financial modelling and it’s important for Terabase to have its own cloud-based performance modelling solution. PlantPredict is a perfect complement to other solutions we offer and have under development.”

“As we maintain our focus on our advanced module technology, it was important for us to find the right company to integrate PlantPredict into a broader digital energy product portfolio while continuing to raise the bar for solar energy modelling,” said Nick Strevel, vice president, Product Development, First Solar.  “PlantPredict users have long enjoyed rapid, highly accurate, and bankable predictions and, looking to the future, can expect to benefit from the platform’s integration into other Terabase offerings.”