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.

As Director of Market Strategy at Silicon Ranch, Adian Markocic spends a majority of his time analyzing industry trends, regulations, and data to help guide the company's growth strategy. Adrian joins us to provide insight into the strategic planning and considerations that go into siting and developing new solar projects, as well as the evolving landscape of electricity demand and how solar power can and should be prepared to meet it.

Silicon Ranch partner Nextracker has pioneered several innovations in solar tracker technology, including independent row, weather aware tracking algorithms, and have been leading the charge on domestic supply chain improvements. CEO Dan Shugar joins us for a discussion on how their innovations have reduced both costs and environmental impacts while also creating local jobs and community support for solar projects. These efforts enable Nextracker to partner with leaders like Silicon Ranch to deploy gigawatts of high-performing, sustainable solar projects.