Fast Company Recognizes 8minute Solar Energy’s Technology as a World-Changing Idea

Leading solar developer 8minute Solar Energy has been recognized by Fast Company magazine for its pioneering, advanced controls technology—the 'brain' of a power plant that is allowing the next generation of smarter, more reliable clean energy. 

In the highly competitive World Changing Ideas Awards announced every year by Fast Company, 8minute’s smart energy solutions were awarded an Honorable Mention in the Energy category and as a Finalist in the Established Excellence category, which assesses innovative projects from companies that have been in business between 5 and 14 years.

8minute’s intelligent controls systems for smart power plants integrate solar and battery storage into one uninterrupted system to supply flexible, predictable output to the grid and help utilities dynamically manage the load.

With enough energy to power 20 million people—18 GW of solar and 24 GWh of energy storage in development—8minute is scaling and deploying these advanced controls across one of the largest development pipelines in the country.

“Enabled by our cutting-edge and rigorously-tested technology, 8minute is delivering energy without limitations—energy that’s lower cost, more reliable, and cleaner than ever before. We are leading the industry’s shift from simple to smart solar—turning the sun into a fully dispatchable source of clean energy, delivered exactly when and where it’s needed,” said Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, Founder and CEO, 8minute. “To effectively combat climate change, our country must deploy renewables at a much faster rate, and 8minute’s solutions provide the confidence and tools to do so. I am proud of our team of engineers and innovators at 8minute, whose dedication to improving the future of energy continue to be recognized and push the industry in exciting new directions.”