Chicago welcomes 11 MW solar projects

Planted Solar, a startup focused on rapid solar power plant deployment, has announced 11 MW of projects in Chicago in collaboration with Cultivate Power. According to the company, the system features development software, high-density terrain-following arrays, and construction robots. The technology offers a 2-acre/MW footprint, 50% lower system costs, and 3x faster deployment. Planted Solar raised $20 million from Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Khosla Ventures, with additional support from the U.S. Department of Energy. Headquartered in Oakland, California, the company aims to overcome challenges in land suitability, permitting, supply chains, and labor shortages to meet rising energy demands and decarbonization targets.