Sandbox Solar takes Three Nominations for the North American Agrivoltaic Awards!
Sandbox’s Commitment to Excellence
Sandbox Solar continues to soar into new heights, leading the path for the future of solar development in North America! Our competitive spirit has been recognized once again, taking home three nominations for the North American Agrivoltaic Awards (NAAA). We firmly believe we are setting the benchmark for craftsmanship, quality, and innovation; these awards are one step in the process to earn national admiration by 2027.
The North American Agrivoltaic Awards will be presented at the Solar Farm Summit in Chicago on August 4th. We hope to see you and our many collaborators there in attendance! Sandbox Solar will apply the lessons learned from our agrivoltaic developments at the conference on August 5th. Alongside longtime collaborators Noam Schwartz from SolarEdge and Helge Biernath from Sunzuan, we are proud to be presenting the Evaluation of Predictive Modeling Accuracy and Potential for Vertical Bifacial Systems in Agrivoltaic Projects. This panel is based upon research from CSU, SolarEdge, and internal Sandbox research (more on that here) (SolarEdge blog).
Nominations at the North American Agrivoltaic Awards
Solar Farm of the Year
Central to Sandbox’s agrivoltaic growth comes from collaboration with Colorado State University at the ARDEC Agrivoltaic Testing Grounds. The expansion to this testing ground has been nominated as a finalist this year! The vertical solar fences are powering groundbreaking crop research in dual-use scenarios. Inspired by European success, these vertical installations occupy a minimal footprint, seamlessly allowing modern farming practices to continue undisturbed. Our very own SPADE modeling software supports data collection onsite, including soil moisture data from GroGuru sensors and photosynthetic analysis using a Li-Cor 6400XT system. Corn harvest data was recorded from the 2024 season and will be presented at the 2025 AgriVoltaics World Conference in Freiburg, Germany. Alongside comprehensive cropping data, this project has analyzed the energy production of these novel systems. Collaboration extends beyond Colorado State University with two of our collaborators, Sunzaun and Greentech Renewables. The data-driven approach at this site illuminates a promising path toward a resilient and sustainable landscape!
Beyond research, we are dedicated to using our nuanced understanding of agrivoltaics to support the Fort Collins Community! Our project at Native Hill Farms has been proudly nominated for the Solar Farm of the Year. This 16-kW array is being recognized for its one-of-a-kind agrivoltaic system tailored to the rhythms of a diversified vegetable farm. This project increases the regenerative practices employed at Native Hill Farms, promoting cover-cropping, crop rotation, and minimizing soil disturbance to increase long-term soil fertility. This array is being recognized as a replicable model for energy-smart agriculture that other space-limited or mobile operations can follow!
Solar Ecosystem of the Year
A recent development from this spring has also received recognition on the national stage. The Shortgrass Ecovoltaic Research Facility (SERF) in Nunn, Colorado, is a first-of-its-kind research project. Understanding how utility-scale solar developments can provide benefits to semi-arid grassland ecosystems. Building upon previous research at Jack’s Solar Garden, Dr. Alan Knapp and Dr. Matthew Sturchio are initiating a multi-year research initiative. Exploring how solar installations affect plant productivity, soil function, water dynamics, and overall ecosystem resilience in arid regions. Results from this project will inform decisions for sustainable grazing, biodiversity management, and solar siting decisions across the region.
Time for your support – help us by voting!
We are extremely grateful for the opportunities the local community has given us to explore this nascent industry – agrivoltaics. We are now asking for your continued support. By voting for these projects, you can help us achieve national recognition!
Click here to see all the innovative people and projects nominated!
Written by Jack Donovan
