Sun'Agri: Bringing European Agrivoltaic Innovation to the US | EP231

Clean Power Hour

In this fascinating episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Chuck Schwartz, head of business development at Sun'Agri, to explore the cutting-edge world of agrivoltaics. Chuck shares his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, ultimately leading him to the forefront of solar technology in agriculture.

The conversation delves into Sun'Agri's innovative software platform, which intelligently steers solar panels to optimize both crop growth and energy production. Chuck explains how their technology can help farmers mitigate climate change challenges, such as drought and frost damage, while still generating significant solar power. He discusses the trade-offs between energy and crop production, and how their "farmer first" approach prioritizes agricultural success.

Chuck and Tim explore the economic considerations of agrivoltaics projects, including the challenges of increased capital expenditure and the potential for new value streams. They discuss the reception from solar developers and hardware manufacturers, highlighting the growing interest in agrivoltaics as a way to differentiate in the market and improve project success rates.

The episode also touches on Sun'Agri's current projects, including installations at research universities and commercial farms. Chuck shares his vision for the future of agrivoltaics, emphasizing the need for demonstration projects and changes in regulations to support farmer-owned systems and community solar initiatives.

Tune in to discover how agrivoltaics could revolutionize farming while advancing the clean energy transition, and learn about the potential for this technology to create higher value per acre than traditional farming or solar installations alone.

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Chuck Schwartz
Sun'Agri

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