Automated start-up of construction Solar energy planted just announced that it has signed 11 MW of projects in the Chicago area with the project developer Cultivate strength.
Planted Solar’s integrated system combines development software, high-density terrain-following arrays and construction robots to help solar developers complete projects faster.
Planted Solar’s platform has a footprint of just 2 hectares per megawatt, allowing developers to create new opportunities near valuable interconnection points and reduce land use. The company says it offers a 50% reduction in system costs, fewer installation hours and less risk. The all-terrain arrays can be built on slopes up to 27%, eliminating grading and preserving existing topography.
“Planted Solar gives our team a strategic tool to be stewards of the land and develop better projects with our community partners,” said Brian Matthay, co-founder and CEO of Cultivate Power. “Cultivate is focused on working with landowners and communities so that we can seamlessly integrate solar energy with the local environment and agricultural activities.”
Planted Solar has raised $20 million in Series A funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) and Khosla Ventures. This funding and an award from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office will support the commercial launch and scale-up of Planted Solar’s high-throughput solar deployment product.
“While the solar industry has experienced phenomenal growth, significant advancements are needed for the next phase of scalability,” said Eric Brown, CEO of Planted Solar. “We redesigned the power plant from the ground up with integrated software, hardware and automation to help developers create new opportunities on land previously considered unviable and quickly provide the world with clean energy. Cultivate’s development team has successfully developed gigawatts of solar energy in the United States during their careers. Planted Solar is excited to partner with Cultivate Power to launch the terawatt era of solar energy.”
News item from Planted Solar
