Bill Gates-Backed Fund Puts $31.8M Into Robotic Solar Farm Startup Planted

California-based startup Planted has raised $31.8 million in funding backed by a Bill Gates-affiliated fund to advance its robotic solar installation technology. The company aims to transform solar farm construction by applying a repeatable, production-line approach to the process. Using specialized software and robotics, Planted precisely places solar panel posts across varied terrain to maximize energy output per acre. The technology is designed to make large-scale solar deployment faster and more efficient. Planted believes its approach will significantly accelerate the broader adoption of solar energy.