Silicon Ranch Radio

What's really happening to the land beneath a solar array? Our exploration of CattleTracker™ continues as Nick de Vries sits down with soil scientist Dr. Taylor Bacon to dig into years of research examining how solar and managed grazing affect the ecosystem below. From soil moisture and temperature to plant productivity and carbon cycling, the research reveals encouraging results, including higher soil moisture and comparable vegetation productivity beneath the array. Together, they explore how solar is built and managed matters, and how science is helping Silicon Ranch better understand what it takes to keep the land beneath solar productive, resilient, and alive.

What makes a solar energy project truly successful? Is it renewable power alone or the value it creates for the people and communities it serves? In this episode of Silicon Ranch Radio, Nick de Vries talks with Chris Jones, CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric, about meeting the "meat and potatoes" test: delivering reliable, affordable electricity while strengthening local communities. Together, they discuss the launch of CattleTracker™, the role of cost-effective locally generated solar in a growing region, and why preserving productive farmland can go hand in hand with building the grid of the future.  

What if a solar farm could operate as a real cattle agribusiness? Loran Shallenberger, Silicon Ranch's Vice President of Regenerative Energy and Agrivoltaics joins Nick de Vries to explore the launch of Cattle Tracker, Silicon Ranch's patented platform designed to to integrate commercially viable cattle operations within utility-scale solar projects. We examine what it truly takes to build an AgriPV business that works economically for producers, operationally for solar, and sustainably for the land, covering everything from rotational grazing and forage quality to infrastructure design, animal behavior, and land stewardship. It's a behind-the-scenes look at how Silicon Ranch is rethinking what energy infrastructure can be — from sheep grazing to cattle operations at scale — and why the future of solar may depend as much on agriculture as electricity generation.  

Rob Andrews, founder of Heliolytics and Engramiq, joins host Nick de Vries to explore how advanced data analytics and AI are reshaping solar development and operations. From using drones and thermography to detect faulty modules at scale to building "data-complete" digital models from project documents, Andrews explains how better data organization enables more reliable, trustworthy AI. Dives into the rise of AI agents, the importance of grounding them in real-world context, and what it will take to scale solar from hundreds to thousands of projects — without scaling complexity alongside it.

In the season‑opening episode of Silicon Ranch Radio for 2026, host Nick de Vries sits down with Ann Will, founder and CEO of Groundwork Renewables, to explore why certainty is the cornerstone of building a durable solar business. From resource assessment and PV soiling to hail resilience and module testing, Ann shares how high‑quality, trusted data enables confident decisions across development, operations, financing, and insurance. The conversation traces Groundwork's role in shaping utility‑scale solar from its earliest days and examines how rigor, consistency, and trust turn risk into long‑term value. For anyone focused on building resilient, high‑performing solar assets, this episode makes the case that certainty isn't optional — it's essential.

In honor of Veteran's Day, host Nick de Vries is joined by former U.S. Army Special Forces officer Keyes Metcalf to explore how his military training prepared him for leadership in the solar industry. We'll find out how drones, digital twins, and AI are transforming project management, boosting efficiency while keeping human expertise at the center. From navigating complex construction schedules to tackling supply chain issues, Keyes offers insight into how technology and teamwork are driving the next era of solar innovation, including advances in battery storage and automation.  

Scott Canada, President of Renewable Energy at McCarthy Building Companies, brings over 27 years of experience in the solar industry. In this episode, Scott shares with host Nick de Vries how solar project construction has transformed over the past 15 years, with a sharper focus on data, safety, quality, and productivity. He highlights McCarthy's innovative use of digital tools, from GIS systems to design scoring and data analytics, that drive a continuous improvement cycle to optimize future projects. As Scott transitions into leading McCarthy's data center construction business, he reflects on how these same data-driven strategies and process improvements will shape the next chapter of his career.

Jeff Dykes, president and CEO of BrightRidge Electric, shares how the Tennessee-based public power utility partnered with Silicon Ranch to develop solar projects under TVA's Generation Flexibility Program, enabling BrightRidge to deliver renewable energy while lowering costs for customers and funding STEM and tech programs in local schools. Focused on community service over profit, the utility also engages students in energy education and supports local economic growth. These projects have improved grid reliability and exemplify how renewable energy partnerships can generate widespread community benefits.

Jim Malooley, Director of Agrivoltaics Operations at Silicon Ranch, joins host Nick de Vries to discuss the innovative intersection of solar energy and regenerative land management. Jim shares how he went from running his own sheep farm to leading a team that oversees sheep grazing across three large solar ranches in Georgia. He dives into the unique challenges of managing flocks on solar sites—including shifting lambing schedules, fine-tuning nutrition, and using the sheep's natural behavior to control vegetation. Jim also highlights Silicon Ranch's cutting-edge facilities and research collaborations aimed at improving genetics and parasite resistance, offering a scalable model for revitalizing the U.S. sheep industry.

On this episode, host Nick de Vries is joined by Winston Vaughan, head of climate policy at Clearloop, Silicon Ranch's Carbon Solutions platform. Winston shares insights into Clearloop's innovative business model, which helps businesses of all sizes reclaim their carbon footprint by commissioning new solar projects in American communities where significant economic and environmental benefits can be achieved. We discuss the evolving landscape of carbon accounting and the concept of carbon blindness, highlighting how our approach to emissions can shape the strategic rollout of renewable energy for decades to come.