Fundusol, LLC.

?? Thrilling news! We're proud to announce that Fundusol, LLC has been selected as a winner in Round 8 of the DOE Solar Prize! ?? This $50,000 grant marks a significant milestone in our journey to revolutionize agrivoltaics technology. The funding will accelerate the development and scaling of our innovative design and optimization software suite. None of this would be possible without the exceptional team that led our application including Michael Bendok, Pete Westbrook, Luca Borletti, Esteban Herrera-Vendrell, Allison Weinstock, and William Alexander. This recognition from the Department of Energy validates our mission to advance sustainable agriculture through smart solar integration. A heartfelt thank you to the our supportive partners and the DOE for believing in our vision. Stay tuned for exciting developments as we continue to grow! ???? #Agrivoltaics #SolarEnergy #Sustainability #CleanTech #Innovation #DOEGrant #AgTech #TeamWork #Leadership

?? In the Midwest, 70% of Solar Farms Were Sited on Cropland ?? A USDA study shows that 43% of solar farms were installed on cropland, and in the Midwest, that number is even higher: 70% of solar farms were installed on cropland. The study also showed that most agricultural land near solar projects remained in use even after development, proving that renewable energy and farming can coexist. While the study shows that much of this land remains in agricultural use, our solutions take it a step further by optimizing land productivity. By integrating solar energy with farming practices, we help farmers increase yields and generate renewable energy, ensuring the land is fully utilized. As solar energy expands, Fundusol’s approach ensures farmers can maximize both energy production and agricultural output. #Agrivoltaics #SustainableFarming #CleanEnergy #Fundusol #RenewableEnergy #Agriculture https://lnkd.in/gKR8WF6c

New Jersey financial rewards for solar projects ?? ? In 2021, New Jersey transitioned to the Successor Solar Incentives (SuSI) initiative. This policy offers financial rewards for solar projects including sales and property tax exemptions for solar installations. IMPORTANT: New Jersey evaluates solar installations on agricultural land without changing its tax status as farmland. For more agrivoltaics related information like this, sign up for our newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gvFJhUgv #agrivoltaics #solar #solarenergy #newjersey

Land grading for ground mount solar projects is expensive and detrimental to soil health and land value. With agrivoltaics, we can conserve the land's health and value AND save money. Removing the fertile topsoil on a field-turned-solar-farm reduces the plot's yield potential and land value while increasing erosion risk. This is a lose-lose situation, as the developer has to pay thousands for a service that irreversibly alters and potentially damages the land. Agrivoltaics is the solution, reducing the need for mass land grading while prioritizing vegetation and soil health, resulting in: ?? Reduced capital costs for grading ?? Reduced community opposition ? Maintained or improved soil health and land value It's a no-brainer, folks. Source: https://lnkd.in/giQz5AqR Photo: Forbes #Agrivoltaics #SustainableFarming #RenewableEnergy #SoilHealth #SolarEnergy

Land grading for ground mount solar projects is expensive and detrimental to soil health and land value. With agrivoltaics, we can conserve the land's health and value AND save money. Removing the fertile topsoil on a field-turned-solar-farm reduces the plot's yield potential and land value while increasing erosion risk. This is a lose-lose situation, as the developer has to pay thousands for a service that irreversibly alters and potentially damages the land. Agrivoltaics is the solution, reducing the need for mass land grading while prioritizing vegetation and soil health, resulting in: ?? Reduced capital costs for grading ?? Reduced community opposition ? Maintained or improved soil health and land value It's a no-brainer, folks. Source: https://lnkd.in/giQz5AqR Photo: Forbes #Agrivoltaics #SustainableFarming #RenewableEnergy #SoilHealth #SolarEnergy

Pasture landowners can TRIPLE their revenue with solar grazing. Assuming a generous carrying capacity estimate of 2 head of cattle per acre (1) and a monthly lease rate of $23.40 per head (2), the average pasture landowner earns ~$560/acre in grazing fees. Many solar developers are offering solar lease rates upward of $1,000/acre (3), so landowners that enter a solar grazing lease agreement can expect to earn as much as $1,560+/acre -- nearly TRIPLING yearly revenue! Message us today to see how Fundusol can custom design the optimal solar grazing system for you, tailored to your priorities. Photo: West Central Research and Outreach Center (1) https://lnkd.in/gRydxifA (2) https://lnkd.in/gdF9U22Y (3) https://lnkd.in/gEpDbT3i

Here's what an optimal agrivoltaics project looks like: We helped this client select the best crop to grow given their site's climate, soil type, and local market demand as well as determine what PV configuration would maximize both crop and solar output. Say goodbye to cookie-cutter Agrivoltaics system design and unlock maximum project returns with Fundusol's tailored design modelling suite.

Rural communities are pushing back against traditional utility-scale solar development...but they love agrivoltaics! 116 counties (and counting) in the US have policies restricting or downright banning solar development on farmland (1) because community members are not willing to sacrifice their farmland to solar development, and rightfully so! Thankfully, agrivoltaics (AV) is the compromise that enables solar developers jump this hurdle. A new survey by NREL (2) found that 81.8% of landowners and community members indicated that they would be, “more likely?to support solar development in their community if it combined the production of both energy and agriculture”. Utility-scale solar will soon be synonymous with agrivoltaics, and Fundusol is dedicated to ensuring that landowners, farmers, and solar developers alike receive all the benefits that this innovation has to offer. Sources: (1) https://lnkd.in/emEkMJKj (2) https://lnkd.in/gq4hhvUZ (Image) https://lnkd.in/gftm29hJ

Fresh water is humanity's most precious resource, and it's about time we start acting like it. 92% of the world's yearly fresh water footprint is due to agricultural activity, and current farming practices don't facilitate maximally efficient water use. The sun is only getting hotter, and no amount of water alone can save fields like this one from burning up. How do we keep the sun from drying up our fields and scorching our food? The answer is shade. Crops grown in AgPV fields consume up to 30% less water and exhibit fewer signs of scalding because the shade from the panels protect the soil and crops from excess sun...all while the PV array above generates clean energy! Agrivoltaics is a no brainer, and we're pioneering the optimization of its deployment around the globe. Sources: https://lnkd.in/gyrrwv_M https://lnkd.in/gtFhF4fF https://lnkd.in/g5GjPMcv

The US needs to cover Rhode Island in solar panels...every year To meet the US's 2030 clean energy production goals, the US Department of Energy says 60GW of new solar capacity needs to be installed each year from 2025-2030. Here's how the math on that breaks down: ~10 acres of land is required to install 1 MW of solar capacity 60GW = 60,000 MW = 600,000 acres = 937.5 square miles Area of Rhode Island = 1,033.6 square miles The US needs to install solar arrays over a total land area nearly equal to the size of Rhode Island every year. Prime US farmland is also some of the most productive land for utility-scale solar projects, but sacrificing food production for energy production is a zero-sum game. Agrivoltaics is the compromise that unlocks value for farmers and solar developers alike, and our tool is engineered to design optimal agrivoltaic systems that maximize this value for all stakeholders. Sources: https://lnkd.in/e56AT7Xv https://lnkd.in/ewUnUmmS https://lnkd.in/eGgPD962