Clean Power Hour

How Vertical Solar Panels Are Changing Farms in 2025! | EP298


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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
  • Ian Skor - Founder & CEO of Sandbox Solar
  • Professor Majdi Abou Najm - UC Davis Researcher
  • 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

✅ 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

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

🎪 Upcoming Events Mentioned:

  • Solar Farm Summit (August 4-7, Chicago)
  • California Agrivoltaics Day (November 5, UC Davis)

Connect with Guests 

Helge Biernath

Ian Skor

Professor Majdi

John Langdon

Support the show

Connect with Tim

Clean Power Hour
Clean Power Hour on YouTube
Tim on Twitter
Tim on LinkedIn

Email [email protected]

Review Clean Power Hour on Apple Podcasts

The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

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Clean Power HourBy Tim Montague, John Weaver

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