CTS Case: Envelop

Programs like CTS remind us of the power of technology to create positive change.

Why don’t we meet one of the innovators of the CTS program and hear from him directly about how technologies are making a difference on the ground?

Let’s watch the following clip.

CTS Case: Envelop

Technology:

The company is working in the field of renewable energy, focusing specifically on something called “agrivoltaics.” Agrivoltaics is a way of combining solar power generation with farming. Imagine a field where crops are growing underneath large solar panels. These solar panels not only generate electricity but also provide some shade for the crops, which can actually help them grow better in certain climates.

To make this work efficiently, the company developed special software. This software uses data and calculations to figure out the best way to place the solar panels (like their angle, spacing, and height) so that the crops get just the right amount of sunlight. It’s like a farming assistant that helps ensure both the crops and the solar panels are working at their best.

Business Model:

The company’s business is similar to how real estate developers operate. Here’s how it works:

• Finding a Location: The company first finds a suitable piece of land in a developing country where they can build their solar power plants.
• Building the Plant: They then go through the necessary approvals and build the solar power plant on that land. The twist here is that they also make sure the land can still be used for farming underneath the solar panels.
• Selling Electricity: Once the solar plant is up and running, they sell the electricity it generates. This is how they make money.

Additionally, the company has created an online platform called “My Power Plant.” This platform allows anyone who owns land to see how they can set up their own agrivoltaics system. The platform can help calculate the best setup for the solar panels and even provide a basic budget and analysis of how profitable the project could be. In the future, they hope this platform will also help people with things like crowdfunding and applying for carbon credits (which are rewards for reducing carbon emissions).

So, in short, the company is using innovative technology to help farmers grow crops while also generating clean energy, and they make money by selling the electricity from the solar panels. Their business model is all about finding the right places to build these systems and then helping landowners around the world do the same.