Google Backs Planted Solar's Robotic Solar Energy Push
Google has invested in Planted Solar's plan to provide clean data center power through its innovative approach to solar energy. The company uses a combination of robots and software to build solar projects more quickly and flexibly, with the goal of meeting the growing demand for speed-to-power.
The $31.8 million Series B funding round was led by Piva Capital and RA Capital Management Planetary Health, with participation from other prominent investors including Khosla Ventures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
Planted Solar's founder and CEO Eric Brown explained that the company's approach is both simpler and more high-tech than traditional solar. The use of digital twins and custom-built robots allows for precise installation and minimizes permitting challenges, enabling faster construction timelines.