Planted raises $32 million for robot-assisted solar farm construction

Planted, a startup focused on solar farms, announced it has raised $31.8 million in a funding round led by Piva Capital and RA Capital Management Planetary Health. The investment also saw participation from Google, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Khosla Ventures.

The company aims to transform solar farm construction by employing robotics and digital twin technology. Planted's approach allows solar farms to be built on up to 40% less land while producing the same amount of power as conventional systems. This addresses a common hurdle where extensive land requirements delay or prevent projects.

Planted's method differs from traditional practices. Instead of leveling land for long rack systems, the company uses individual posts for each panel. These posts are installed by robots according to a digital model, adapting to the terrain without significant grading. This enables the use of slopes and uneven areas typically avoided in conventional projects.

According to CEO Eric Brown, this approach streamlines permitting processes by reducing environmental impact and visual disruption. "We build on slopes up to 27% without grading, so we can utilize more of each parcel," Brown stated.

The new funding will support the expansion of Planted's robot fleet and increase its production capacity. The company anticipates building 100 megawatts of solar power by 2026, with a project pipeline exceeding 20 gigawatts.