Ready to discover why smart solar developers and farmers are choosing agrivoltaics over traditional solar?
Today on the Clean Power Hour, join host Tim Montague and four industry leaders who share real data, proven results, and practical insights on how vertical racking helps farmers achieve superior returns compared to conventional approaches
🎯 Featured Experts:
Helge Biernath - Founder & CEO of Sunzaun, pioneering vertical solar racking solutions
Ian Skor - Founder & CEO of Sandbox Solar, developer of specialized agrivoltaics modeling software
Professor Majdi Abou Najm - UC Davis researcher specializing in water-energy-food nexus
John Langdon - Oregon farmer and "Solar Saves Farms" advocate
Why This Matters to YOU:
For Solar Developers:
✅ 15x higher energy density per square foot with vertical systems
✅ Premium pricing - capture afternoon peak rates up to 62¢/kWh
✅ Reduced community resistance - preserve farmland while generating clean energy
✅ Lower LCOE through reduced soiling, snow issues, and maintenance
✅ New market access in areas where traditional solar faces opposition
For Farmers & Landowners:
✅ Income diversification without losing agricultural production
✅ 8-12% water savings, reducing operational costs
✅ 120%+ land productivity (energy + agriculture combined)
✅ Enhanced crop resilience through beneficial microclimate creation
✅ Future-proofing against climate variability and market volatility
For Investors & Financial Professionals:
✅ Proven ROI models with real performance data
✅ Multiple revenue streams from a single land asset
✅ Risk mitigation through diversified income sources
✅ Scalable solutions from pilot to commercial deployment
Ready to understand why agrivoltaics is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for smart land use? This panel provides the strategic insights you need to evaluate and capitalize on this growing opportunity.
🎪 Upcoming Events Mentioned:
Solar Farm Summit (August 4-7, Chicago) - https://solarfarmsummit.com/
California Agrivoltaics Day (November 5, UC Davis) - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-california-germany-agrivoltaics-conference-tickets-1286645534429
Connect with Guests
https://www.linkedin.com/in/helgebiernath/
https://sunzaun.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-skor-pe-97360940/
https://sandboxsolar.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/majdi-abou-najm-6b5207263/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-langdon-339963174/
https://solarsavesfarms.info/#agrivoltaics
#solarenergysolutions #sustainableagriculture #renewableenergy #cleantech #farming #VerticalSolar #foodsecurity
Growing into large commercial-industrial solar? Book a free consultation with Tim Montague to grow your solar business today!
https://calendly.com/tim-montague/coaching_consulting
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00:00 Introduction
03:02 Exploring Agrivoltaics
05:07 Panelist Introductions
07:27 Helge on Vertical Bifacial Systems
15:13 Ian Skor on Sandbox Solar
23:32 Dr. Majdi Abou on Agrivoltaics Research
29:50 John Langdon on Dual Use Farming
31:24 Exploring Solar Integration in Agriculture
32:09 Water Efficiency and Solar Shade Benefits
33:07 Maximizing Sunlight for Crops and Livestock
34:29 Educating Farmers on Solar Opportunities
36:06 Technical Aspects of Solar Panel Orientation
38:11 Vertical Solar Systems and Practical Applications
41:41 Scaling Agrivoltaics and Industry Trends
46:51 Economic Considerations for Farmers
51:38 Future Innovations and System Integration
54:20 Q&A and Closing Remarks
