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| | U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center | Cory Overton | Wildlife Biologist |
Federal Government
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Cross-Cutting
| Wildlife-Solar Energy Research, Technical Assistance, and Stakeholder Engagement | Our research and technical assistance team provides support for various wildlife conservation and industry stakeholders to address diverse ecosystem and wildlife conservation challenges and inform conflict and risk management relating to wildlife. Our team routinely conducts studies on animal movement including capture and tagging of wildlife with advanced solar-powered GPS tracking devices, analysis of wildlife GPS locations and movement, and effectively delivering animal movement information to stakeholders in easily-interpretable and user-friendly decision support and management tools. On our projects, we frequently leverage additional animal movement data available on the Movebank public data repository (www.movebank.org) to augment our own data and to represent target species or greater species diversity our analysis. We combine extensive historical and ongoing animal movement data streams (e.g., GPS locations, temperature, light level, accelerometer tri-axial position) with administrative (e.g., landscape management units) and environmental (e.g., surface water characteristics) to understand and predict wildlife interactions with, and responses, to multiple variables.
AIMS for Wildlife
To effectively deliver current actionable wildlife movement information to stakeholders, our team has developed the Automated Interactive Monitoring System (AIMS) for Wildlife (Casazza et al. 2023). AIMS allows us to address substantial challenges with accessing and coalescing extensive disparate animal movement and environmental data streams and variables and deliver custom user-friendly information for stakeholders. The AIMS system provides tools to leverage continent-wide efforts to track wild animals and deliver customized digital reports that contain interactive data summaries, visualizations, and maps describing ecological relationships affecting wildlife and provide real-time context for user-defined areas of interest.
Expanding on our current work, we are interested in applying animal movement data and AIMS to help support large-scale solar (LSS) development and operation to understand effects (positive or negative) on wildlife and mitigate negative effects. Similarly, we also see applications of our work to help inform siting of LSS.
Casazza,…Overton, C.T., et al., 2023. AIMS for wildlife: Developing an automated interactive monitoring system to integrate real-time movement and environmental data for true adaptive management. J. of Environ. Manag. |
| CA |
| | Bat Conservation International | Jessie Bunkley | Conservation Research Coordinator |
Non-Profit
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Integrated Strategies
| | Bat Conservation International (BCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enduring protection of bats and their habitats since 1982. BCI is committed to conducting, supporting, and facilitating high-priority research that informs conservation actions and produces conservation evidence that leads to meaningful outcomes. We are committed to engaging with communities and partners in ways that honor and respect local knowledge and practices. BCI is a global leader in finding solutions that support renewable wind energy development while reducing impacts on bat populations. BCI helped establish the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative in 2003 to engage researchers, conservation stakeholders, and private industry to identify priorities and solutions that minimize the impacts of wind energy development on bats. With the rapid expansion of solar energy development, BCI would like to partner with researchers and organizations investigating how to minimize impacts on bats and their habitats and facilitate conversations around best management practices. |
Website: batcon.org
Email: jbunkley@batcon.org
Phone: 7072325468
Address: 500 N Capital of TX Hwy., Bldg. 1, Suite 175, Austin, TX, 78746, United States
| TX |
| | Czero, Inc. | Guy Babbitt | CEO |
Small Business
|
Cross-Cutting
| | Czero, Inc., is a specialized professional engineering services (PES) company specializing in helping clients advance their early-stage (typically TRL 4-7) technologies in the energy conversion, use, and storage fields. Czero has completed over 400 projects (including 14+ DOE ARPA-E projects and many other grant-based programs) with Czero supporting the prime contractor by leveraging sophisticated design, analysis, and controls expertise, combined with in-house fabrication and testing facilities. Czero focuses on providing analytical solutions using engineering first principles and detailed modeling and simulation tools such as dynamic system modeling (Simulink), FEA, CFD, MIL/SIL/HIL, control algorithm development, electronic controls, and performing fundamental design and documentation, using 3D solid modeling (CAD), and print development, including GD&T. Select prior projects include the development and testing of a solid oxide fuel cell/ gas turbine hybrid system, high-temperature petrochemical reactor, multiple high-temperature thermochemical energy storage systems, MW scale containerized hybrid power generation, robotic crop phenotyping, wave energy converters, algae biosystems, compressed air energy storage, high-pressure hydrogen compression, DAC and cryogenic carbon capture, planar electro-synthesizers, and pyrolysis systems among many others. |
| CO |
| | Bee Happy Solar | Elena Zenke | Owner |
Small Business
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Solar
| | BEE HAPPY SOLAR is a woman owned and operated small business (EDWOSB certified) based in the Annapolis, MD area.
We install solar and small wind.
We specialize in small and large commercial pollinator friendly Solar Ground Mounts and install residential and commercial rooftop solar of any complexity. |
| MD |
| | Texas A&M AgriLife Research | Andrew Kasner | Assistant Professor |
Academic
|
Cross-Cutting
| Solar and wildlife | I am an assistant professor of wildlife and rangeland ecology and management at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center at San Angelo, TX and the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management at Texas A&M Universit. My research is focused on wildlife-habitat relationships in the context of semi-arid rangelands and energy-dominated landscapes. My research seeks to address questions on wildlife interactions and habitat use relative to grazing systems and fire; and managing and/or restoring rangeland systems to benefit wildlife conservation within renewable energy production areas in relation to industry needs and state and federal policy. I am interested in collaborative opportunities to study emerging issues related to wildlife ecology and conservation and pre- and post-construction studies of solar and wind developments. I am also interested in the ecology and conservation of songbirds (especially grassland and shrubland birds) and charadriiform waterbirds (terns, plovers and sandpipers). |
| TX |
| | Superior Watershed Partnership | Carl Lindquist | Executive Director |
Non-Profit
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Integrated Strategies
| Solar | The Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) is a 501c3 non-profit serving the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The SWP Energy and Climate Office’s Energy Services Team and the Energy Division of the Great Lake Climate Corps (GLCC) works directly with Upper Peninsula municipalities and Tribes, local businesses, and low-income residents facing energy insecurity to reduce carbon emissions and energy bills for a region facing the second-highest electricity rates in the country. GLCC Energy Division staff are trained in DOE energy audits and experienced in completing building/home weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades including solar installations. SWP technical staff includes outreach/education and GIS specialists and biologists/field staff experienced in completing field inventories, habitat assessments, and site evaluations using established protocols. We are interested in connecting with partners in the Great Lakes region who might be submitting or collaborating on a proposal. |
| MI |
| | Argonne National Laboratory | Yuki Hamada | Environmental Sensing Scientist |
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
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Solar
| | Argonne National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research center. Argonne researchers have extensive knowledge and capability of PV solar ecology. Our capabilities include: (1) AI monitoring technology for interactions of birds and other wildlife with PV solar facility infrastructure that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation strategies and (2) individual-based modeling for examining wildlife responses to renewable energy infrastructure that may be applied to the effects of mitigation strategies on wildlife population. Since 2020, we have complied over 40,000 hours of daytime video data collected at PV facilities that can be used to learn about wildlife responses to PV facility infrastructure. |
| IL |
| | Siemens | Ashish Gupta | Staff Scientist |
Large Business
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Advanced Manufacturing (Industrial)
| Co-existence Wildlife-LSS | Our research group at Siemens FT (Foundation Technologies) specializes in developing AI-powered advanced simulation models across diverse domains, including manufacturing processes (e.g., milling) and natural ecosystems (e.g., coral reefs). Our previous projects include collaborations on DARPA TRADES, DARPA NOMARS, and NSF Digital Reefs (digitalreefs.org).
For SolWEB2, we are open to partnerships across all focus areas. Specifically, in Focus Area 1.1: Strategies to Mitigate Adverse Impacts on and/or Maximize Benefits to Wildlife at LSS Facilities, we seek collaboration with partners who:
1. Have experience with LSS facilities or infrastructure development in ecologically sensitive zones.
2. Possess datasets on wildlife movement or habitat interactions.
We aim to develop advanced simulation models to support stakeholders in designing effective strategies for wildlife and LSS co-existence. These models could provide actionable insights for mitigating ecological impacts and enhancing decision-making. Additionally, such simulation tools could play a pivotal role in technical assistance and stakeholder engagement in Focus Area 1.2 and Topic Area 2: Agrivoltaics. |
| NJ |
| | Prezent Energy | Kevin Cameron | President |
Individual
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Renewable Energy Integration (REI)
| Agrivoltaics | For this list I have a better way of doing agrivoltaics, based on the same technology as this -
https://actu.epfl.ch/news/with-new-solar-modules-greenhouses-run-on-their-ow/
Plants don't use green light so solar only using green light has little environmental impact, and may reduce water use.
Happy to share, if you are a 2-D tracker company or bifacial PV cell manufacturer, please get in touch. |
| CA |
| | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory | Linqing Luo | Research Scientist |
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
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Cross-Cutting
| | I am a research scientist from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. I worked on distributed fiber optic sensing on acoustic, strain, temperature monitoring and developing the distributed sensing/monitoring technologies for solar and wind applications.
I am interested in developing a solution that addresses LSS and wildlife issues. For large scale solar farms, setting up a distributed acoustic sensing system around the property can be a novel solution to track animal crossing and locating, which would be useful data for managing impacts and interactions. |
| CA |
| | UW-Madison Office of Sustainability | Josh Arnold | Campus Energy Advisor |
Academic
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Cross-Cutting
| 2 | We have a 2.25 MW AC (2.87 MW DC) dual-use solar learning laboratory at UW-Madison that is in the final stages of completion. All racking and modules are constructed as of November 2024 and the array is expected to be energized later this year. The array was designed with agrivoltaics in mind, including three types of racking (elevated fixed tilt, single-axis trackers and standard fixed tilt) and variable spacing between rows of modules. The array is located on 10 acres (4 hectares) of university-owned land just outside of Madison, WI (Latitude 42.959527, Longitude -89.290824). The array was built as part of an innovative public-private partnership with an investor-owned utility. An informal community of practice, known as Badgervoltaics™, has organically developed in parallel to the development of the solar array and features over 156 interested subscribers including students, staff, faculty and community members.
We are interested in connecting with national partners who might be submitting for SolWeb Option 2 (Agrivoltaics Technical Assistance) or interested to collaborate on a proposal.
We would be interested in sharing our story through these or other means:
1) Case study
2) Guided tour
3) Educational materials and/or programming
4) Other creative ideas |
| WI |
| | Sightir | Marcus Chevitarese | President |
Small Business
|
Advanced Manufacturing (Industrial)
| Enviornmental Monitoring | Sightir specializes in vision systems and is currently bringing to market the TT3D, developed by PNNL. This advanced thermal camera system is designed for the detection and tracking of birds and bats, making it ideal for monitoring both airborne and ground-based wildlife around solar energy installations. Our integrated sensor platform merges audio, thermal, and visible camera technologies to deliver consistently reliable data for wildlife research.
We are eager to collaborate on research projects related to this field. Our systems are capable of detecting not only flying birds and bats but also a wide range of insects, and can be adapted to track the movement of sheep and other grazing animals |
| CA |
| | Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI) | Ryan Butryn | Senior Information Science Manager |
Non-Profit
|
Solar
| Ecological Data Management | Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit created in 2008 and is committed to facilitating the timely and responsible development of renewable energy while protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. REWI is built on a collaborative and innovative partnership comprising over 40 organizations, including the wind and solar industry, federal and state wildlife management agencies, and science and conservation organizations, committed to conducting independent, robust science on the most pressing renewable-wildlife challenges informing policy and decision making at the federal, state, and local levels. REWI and its partners work to accomplish our mission – Through science and collaboration, accelerate responsible deployment of renewable energy to mitigate climate change and protect wildlife and ecosystems.
REWI is developing SolSource Database (DE-EE0010381) into a comprehensive online resource for biodiversity-related datasets collected at LSS facilities. With expertise gained through this effort, we can work with SolWeb2 projects to support their data management needs from protocols and standards for data collection to final dataset archiving and hosting services. By utilizing established protocols and data standards, research teams can ensure that their datasets are comparable to existing datasets which facilitates additional insights beyond the scope of any one project. To meet end-of-project needs such as archiving data and outreach, SolSource Database can provide a landing page for research teams to post their datasets and other research products which makes them discoverable by all stakeholders including REWI’s list of 3000+ contacts. Customized solutions leveraging REWI’s existing data sharing infrastructure are also possible for projects that have needs beyond the scope of SolSource Database. |
| DC |
| | Hubay Dougherty | Scott Hubay | Managing Partner |
Small Business
|
Strategic Programs
| | Our law firm helped design an EPA CPRG grant award win that involved closing a coal plant to create Energy Community, which incentivized solar on brownfield land, the profits from which went towards the creation of a park for residents, as well as migrating birds and butterflies. The idea is to use clean energy and the profits from it, in partnership with nonprofits, to create conservation land from distressed land. |
| OH |
| | US Geological Survey | Seth Munson | Research Ecologist |
Federal Government
|
Solar
| | Seth Munson is an ecologist with the Southwest Biological Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. His research focuses on dryland ecosystems and how they are affected by climate and land use changes. Much of Dr. Munson's research aims to understand the dynamics of dryland ecosystems at long temporal and broad spatial scales, and employs a multidisciplinary approach. His work seeks to improve the management of arid and semi-arid lands, including determining effective ecological restoration strategies, and is done in close collaboration with several land management agencies.
I coordinate long-term vegetation, soil, microclimate, and habitat monitoring at the Gemini Solar facility, 20 miles northeast of Las Vegas, NV, which is currently the largest in the US. The facility uses alternative construction methods to minimize impact to desert tortoise and other wildlife species. We have 4 years of pre- and post-construction data across the entire facility and have interest in partnering with other PIs to strengthen understanding of the ecological impacts of utility-scale solar energy facilities and how the alternative construction methods and other measures are potentially reducing impact to wildlife. This research is done in close collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management. Please reach out if you have interest in collaborating.
More info about our research project:
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/southwest-biological-science-center/science/gemini-solar-project
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/southwest-biological-science-center/news/predicting-wildlife-and-plant-responses-solar |
| AZ |
| | Energy Alliance Group | Scott Ringlein | Principal |
Small Business
|
Solar
| Solar Dual-Axis Tracker | We are a solar project developer based in Michigan utilizing a dual-axis solar tracker capable of 43kW output. Unique to its design is a single pedestal installation with 15'+ ground clearance allowing for increased access to land. |
| MI |
| | National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) | Rafael Monge | Clean Energy Deployment Policy Analyst |
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
|
Cross-Cutting
| Renewable Energy, Wildlife and Ecosystems, Policy | I am a Clean Energy Deployment Policy Analyst at NREL’s Grid Planning and Analysis Center, where I focus on integrating science, policy, and stakeholder engagement to support clean energy deployment. Before joining NREL, I served as Director of Costa Rica’s National Center of Geoenvironmental Information at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, leading national and international efforts on land use monitoring, environmental reporting, and policy development. I am particularly interested in strategies to reduce land-use conflicts, improve solar-wildlife compatibility, and promote dual-use land practices. I bring experience in cross-sector collaboration, technical assistance, and data-driven approaches to support clean energy transitions. |
| CO |
| | Colorado Parks and Wildlife | Casey Setash | Avian Researcher |
State and/or Local Government
|
Solar
| | I am an avian population ecologist with an existing solar-bird research study (started in 2024) in Colorado. I have access to 5+ LSS facilities around the state for research purposes, all of which will begin construction from 2025-2027. |
| CO |
| | University of California Merced | Sarah Kurtz | Professor |
Academic
|
Solar
| | More than 40 years of experience with solar, largely at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
I am currently building an agrivoltaic system and am familiar with the issues of scaling up solar. I would be interested in supporting the educational part of proposals in either #1 or #2 topic areas of the NOFO. |
| CA |
| | Argonne National Laboratory | Leroy Walston | Ecologist |
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
|
Solar
| | Biodiversity, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Ecosystem Services, Vegetation, Habitat, Wildlife |
| IL |
| | Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance | Emily M Davenport, CWR, RVT | Executive Director |
Non-Profit
|
Strategic Programs
| | Our organization is dedicated to wildlife conservation and fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural world. Through a variety of programs and services, we strive to make a positive impact on both wildlife and the community.
One of our key programs is our wildlife hospital and rehabilitation center, where we provide critical care for injured and orphaned wildlife. From hummingbirds to bobcats, we offer compassionate treatment and rehabilitation with the goal of releasing animals back into their natural habitats.
In addition to our rehabilitation efforts, we place a strong emphasis on education and outreach. Through interactive workshops, public events, and school programs, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and inspire individuals to take action in their own communities. By fostering a sense of stewardship and respect for the environment, we empower people to become advocates for wildlife and the natural world.
Our work is vital because it helps to safeguard fragile ecosystems, protect vulnerable species, and promote a sustainable relationship between humans and wildlife. By rehabilitating injured animals and providing educational opportunities, we empower individuals and communities to become stewards of the environment, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings and inspiring action to preserve our natural world for future generations. |
| CO |
| | American Farmland Trust | Ethan Winter | National Smart Solar Director |
Non-Profit
|
Solar
| | American Farmland Trust, a national non-profit organization, brings a holistic approach and national expertise in advancing smart solar and engaging the agricultural community to develop solutions that make our team uniquely well suited for this opportunity. In 2022 AFT released Smart Solar principles (farmland.org/solar) to guide its clean energy work and help communities accelerate solar development in ways that strengthen farm viability and protect our best farmland. AFT is a national leader and recognized expert in innovative solutions to address tensions over solar energy on farmland. AFT is engaged in national level, multi-stakeholder dialogues to find common ground including in the “Solar Uncommon Dialogue” (https://woods.stanford.edu/research/solar-landconservation) and its staff are frequent expert speakers at conferences including the recent Solar Farm Summit in Chicago. In addition, AFT is involved in many projects to increase the adoption of agrivoltaics by helping communities to work with farmers and ranchers and solar developers.
AFT’s staff include experts in solar energy, agrivoltaics, regenerative agriculture, land use planning, and social research. AFT currently is working
with Rutgers University developing and implementing an agrivoltaics technical assistance training program for producers and future agrivoltaics specialists. This project will prepare a cohort of early adoptions and innovators. In addition, AFT also is conducting an agrivoltaics technical assistance pilot project with producers in Colorado to inform Colorado Department of Agriculture on developing technical assistance approach and resources. In addition, AFT has conducted outreach, engagement, education and training on agrivoltaics in many states across the country including NY, NJ, MA, CT, VA, KY, IL, IN, TX, CO, WA and CA. |
| NY |
| | Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI) | Dr. Joshua Ennen | Senior Scientist |
Non-Profit
|
Solar
| Renewable Energy, Wildlife, Habitat, Ecosystems Interactions | Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit created in 2008 and is committed to facilitating the timely and responsible development of renewable energy while protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. REWI is built on a collaborative and innovative partnership comprising over 40 organizations, including the wind and solar industry, federal and state wildlife management agencies, and science and conservation organizations, committed to conducting independent, robust science on the most pressing renewable-wildlife challenges informing policy and decision making at the federal, state, and local levels. REWI and its partners work to accomplish our mission – Through science and collaboration, accelerate responsible deployment of renewable energy to mitigate climate change and protect wildlife and ecosystems.
REWI is a trusted voice, making the organization a national resource for private and public sector renewable energy and conservation organizations. It is a convener of these organizations to discuss challenges collaboratively, develop research priorities, and provide outreach opportunities for learning and dissemination of critical information to inform policy. Moreover, REWI maintains liaison relationships with various public agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. REWI’s companies and organizations support and partner with REWI’s scientists to address the significant wildlife/natural resources challenges associated with the energy transition. Over the past 15 years, this collaboration and support has generated research programs with over 45 scientific products and resources addressing challenges, finding solutions, and avoiding conflicts. |
Website: www.rewi.org
Email: jennen@rewi.org
Phone: 8654562095
Address: 700 12th St NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC, 20005, United States
| DC |
| | Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research | Michael Houts | Assistant Researcher |
Academic
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Integrated Strategies
| strategic renewable energy siting | GIS analyst with 20 years of experience using ESRI GIS software for wildlife, habitat and energy resource assessment. Working at the Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research within the University of Kansas, I have considerable experience working with state and federal wildlife agencies, NGO’s, and industry on projects aimed at mapping habitat, delineating priority areas, and assessing impacts of new development. I am interested in efforts related to 1) developing a strategy to focus renewable energy siting into “low impact” areas, 2) utilize solar sites and corridors for native vegetation and pollinators, and/or 3) use GIS techniques to map and monitor habitat impacts from renewable energy developments and highlight sites that are sited to minimize impacts or managed to improve wildlife/habitat availability. |
| KS |
| | NREL | Jeff Cook | Solar Analysis Program Lead |
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
|
Solar
| Topic 1 and 2 | NREL has cross cutting capabilities relative to renewable energy wildlife benefits and impacts, agrivoltaics, and technical assistance programs. NREL has unique data collection, analysis, and modeling capabilities at the nexus of energy, environment, and society that are aligned with this funding opportunity.
NREL's strategic public-private partnerships develop high-impact, multiyear, multisector collaborations that drive transformation of domestic and global energy landscapes. These partnerships bring together governments, communities, utilities, industry leaders, manufacturers, distributors, federal agencies—including the U.S. Department of Energy—and more.
Innovation and deployment at unprecedented speed and scale are required for clean energy transformation in the United States and around the world. Clean energy transformation requires coordinated, holistic, whole-systems solutions. We need not only continuous improvement of individual technologies but also highly efficient, flexible, integrated systems solutions across our full energy economy that can only be realized through creative partnerships.
To achieve these large, rapid, transformational objectives, we need formal structures and an intentional approach. NREL brings expertise as a convener and decades of experience collaborating with partners across all sectors to accelerate new technologies, integrate energy systems, address impacts, and implement solutions at scale. |
| CO |
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