Industry Ignited Podcast

What Does It Take to Build a Gigawatt of Solar in Texas? Sol Bobst, Solar Ranch Development Company | Ep. 50

Leeanne Aguilar, Ph.D. Season 1 Episode 50

In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Sol Bobst, President of Solar Ranch Development Company and ToxSci Advisors, to explore how Texas can meet a rapidly accelerating power demand through practical, scalable renewable energy development. Sol shares how his background as a board-certified toxicologist and applied scientist led him from oil and gas into solar entrepreneurship, and why his core strategy—partnering with Texas landowners to develop distributed solar-plus-storage projects—is designed to bring power online faster than many large projects that stall in the ERCOT pipeline. From agrivoltaics (like sheep grazing and honey bees) to grid-tied battery storage that strengthens reliability during extreme heat and winter storms, the conversation highlights how a distributed, smarter grid can protect rural land legacies, improve affordability, and keep the lights on as Texas load forecasts surge—making the episode a must-listen for energy investors, landowners, and anyone tracking the future of solar and storage in ERCOT.