Robotic Solar Farm Builder Planted Raises $31.8M with Google, Bill Gates's Backing

Planted, a California-based startup, has received $31.8 million in funding from prominent investors including Google and Bill Gates's fund to expand its robotic fleet. The company aims to transform the solar farm construction process into a more efficient and repeatable production line, reducing stages that currently take months or even years.

The new generation of machines called Sage will be launched in 2026, building on Planted's existing technology. This approach allows for precise placement of each post, making it easier to navigate irregular terrain and increasing the energy output per acre by up to twice as much.

With this funding, Planted plans to increase its deployment from 10MW in 2025 to 100MW this year, a tenfold growth within a single year. The company's potential project pipeline has already surpassed 20 GW.