In this episode of Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague interviews Drew Bond, CEO and co-founder of Powerfield Energy, about their innovative solar racking system. The company's flagship product, the PowerRack, represents a significant departure from traditional solar mounting solutions. At its core, it's a highly engineered HDPE plastic tub that holds solar panels at a 25-degree angle, requiring no tools or ground penetration for installation - installers simply fill the tubs with local materials like dirt, sand, or rock. While each empty rack weighs just 17 pounds, it can hold up to 550 pounds of ballast when filled, creating a stable foundation for solar panels.
Founded in 2017 by former AES Solar and SunEdison executives, Powerfield Energy has proven its concept through rigorous testing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and successful deployment across over 200 installations in the United States. The system offers several distinct advantages over traditional racking, including achieving 33% higher power density (1MW per 2.5-3 acres), lower wind loads due to its low profile design, and flexibility for uneven terrain up to 10-degree slopes. It's particularly well-suited for brownfields and landfills where ground penetration isn't feasible, and its removable/recyclable nature makes it attractive for temporary installations or land that may need future repurposing.
The company is currently expanding its product line to accommodate larger solar panels and has secured significant projects, including a 100MW installation in the southeastern United States. The Power Rack is available through major distributors including GreenTech Renewables, and was recently deployed in Maui for fire relief efforts. Made in the USA and backed by a 25-year warranty, the system exemplifies innovation in solar mounting technology, making installation simpler while potentially reducing both upfront and long-term operational costs. For more information about Powerfield Energy, visitors can check out powerfieldenergy.com, or follow Clean Power Hour at cleanpowerhour.com.
Social Media Handles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-bond
https://www.powerfieldenergy.com/
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00:00 Introduction to Powerfield Energy
02:23 Drew Bond's Background in Energy
04:45 Powerfield Origin Story
06:47 The Power Rack Product Design
09:54 Market Response and Growth
15:55 Power Density Advantages of the Power Rack
16:50 Snow Load Performance
18:16 Land Undulation Capabilities
21:09 Brownfield Applications
21:32 Market Challenges and Solutions
25:14 East-West Configuration Benefits
27:33 Product Applications and Scale
30:26 Conclusion
