Okovate Sustainable Energy: Company Profile

Background

Overview

Okovate Sustainable Energy is a Washington, D.C.-based company specializing in agrivoltaic project development. Founded in October 2022, the company focuses on integrating solar energy systems with agricultural practices to create dual-use solutions that sustain farmland and drive prosperity. Their mission is to empower farmers and communities by promoting the coexistence of renewable energy and agriculture.

Mission and Vision

Okovate's mission is to empower farmers and communities by integrating agriculture and solar energy through innovative dual-use solutions that sustain farmland and drive prosperity. Their vision is to promote the coexistence of renewable energy and agriculture, expanding equitable opportunities for rural and underserved communities through agrivoltaics.

Industry Significance

As a 100% Black-owned and operated firm, Okovate is at the forefront of advancing agrivoltaics in the United States. Their work addresses the global climate crisis by optimizing land use for both solar photovoltaic energy generation and agricultural production, ensuring that the deployment of solar energy does not come at the expense of farmland.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Dual-Use Solar Development: Design and develop community solar projects that harmonize with existing farming operations, ensuring land access and profitability for farmers while reducing operational costs for solar asset owners.

Data-Driven Agrivoltaics: Integrate advanced modeling and AI-driven insights to optimize the co-location of solar energy systems and agricultural production.

Areas of Specialization

Agrivoltaic System Design: Tailoring solar panel configurations to maximize light saturation for specific crops, enhancing both energy generation and agricultural productivity.

Community Engagement: Collaborating with farmers, landowners, and community leaders to ensure that agrivoltaic projects meet local needs and support sustainable development.

Key Technologies Utilized

Fundusol Modeling Platform: Acquired in December 2025, this platform simulates interactions between solar array architecture and crop phenology, providing data-driven insights for agrivoltaic system optimization.

SIMulated PLant Ecosystem (SIMPLE) Model: A crop biomass model used to project outcomes for over 60 different crop types, aiding in precision phenology insights.

Primary Markets Targeted

Farmers and Landowners: Providing solutions that allow for continued agricultural activities alongside energy production.

Solar Developers: Offering consulting services to integrate agrivoltaic systems into existing and new projects.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Seed Round: On December 31, 2024, Okovate raised an undisclosed amount in a seed funding round led by the Schmidt Family Foundation.

Notable Investors

Schmidt Family Foundation: A charitable organization dedicated to helping people help themselves, which has made multiple investments in Okovate.

Utilization of Capital

The funds raised are intended to support the development and scaling of agrivoltaic projects, enhance technological capabilities, and expand community engagement efforts.

Pipeline Development

Key Projects

Chaberton Solar Projects: Okovate is collaborating with Chaberton Energy on agrivoltaic projects at Sugarloaf and Ramiere in Maryland, integrating solar energy with agricultural practices to maximize land-use efficiency.

Anticipated Milestones

Project Implementation: Ongoing development of agrivoltaic systems in partnership with farmers and developers.

Technological Integration: Incorporation of Fundusol's modeling platform into project planning and execution.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Fundusol Modeling Platform: A sophisticated technology stack designed to simulate the complex interactions between solar array architecture and crop phenology, integrated into Okovate's development pipeline.

Significant Scientific Methods

Genomic Optimization: Utilizing custom genetic algorithms to determine optimal solar array configurations tailored to the light saturation needs of individual crops.

Precision Phenology Insights: High-fidelity modeling that projects how specific crops will respond to the microclimates created by solar infrastructure.

Advanced Data Visualization: Leveraging 3D system representations and digital twins to allow farmers and landowners to visualize optimized farm layouts before construction begins.

Leadership Team

Miles Braxton: CEO & Founder. With a background in clean energy and environmental sectors, Miles co-founded BlackOak Collective, a nonprofit supporting Black professionals in environmental careers.

Savannah Whitfield: COO & Founder. Savannah brings expertise in operations and community engagement, focusing on integrating agrivoltaic solutions with farming practices.

Jorritt Becking: Chief Agriculture Officer. Jorritt leads the agricultural strategy, ensuring that agrivoltaic systems align with farming needs and enhance productivity.

Jarrette Lewis: Director of Origination & Development. Jarrette oversees project development, from initial concept through to implementation, ensuring successful integration of agrivoltaic systems.

Max Roepe: Business Development Manager. Max focuses on building partnerships and expanding Okovate's market presence, connecting with farmers, developers, and community leaders.

Leadership Changes

As of February 2026, there have been no publicly announced significant changes or appointments within Okovate's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The agrivoltaics sector is experiencing growth as the demand for renewable energy increases and the need for sustainable agricultural practices becomes more pressing. Companies like Okovate are pioneering solutions that address both energy production and food security.

Competitor Analysis

Chaberton Energy: A Maryland-based public benefit corporation developing sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy projects, including agrivoltaic systems.

Fundusol: A modeling platform developed through research at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University, acquired by Okovate in December 2025 to enhance agrivoltaic project development.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Chaberton Energy: Okovate is collaborating with Chaberton Energy on agrivoltaic projects in Maryland, integrating solar energy with agricultural practices to maximize land-use efficiency.

Fundusol: The acquisition of Fundusol's assets allows Okovate to integrate advanced modeling and AI-driven insights into their agrivoltaic project development pipeline.

Operational Insights

Okovate's focus on integrating solar energy with agricultural practices positions them as a leader in the agrivoltaics sector. Their data-driven approach, enhanced by the acquisition of Fundusol, provides a competitive edge in optimizing land use for both energy production and agriculture.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Okovate aims to expand its agrivoltaic projects across the United States, leveraging their technological capabilities and partnerships to promote sustainable energy solutions that benefit farmers and communities. Their commitment to data-driven precision and community engagement positions them to lead in the evolving agrivoltaics market.