Silicon Ranch CTO describes community-first solar model and domestic sourcing at pv magazine USA Week

In a keynote interview at pv magazine USA Week 2026, Silicon Ranch chief technology officer Nick de Vries said solar and storage account for over 90% of U.S. capacity additions and described the company's develop-to-own model, in which it retains ownership of every plant it designs and builds. He said the Cristiana solar project in Tennessee sourced up to 80% of site materials, including modules, racking, steel, switchgear and transformers, within a 500-mile radius, and described buying domestically as the company's hedge against fluctuating tariffs and Section 232 trade rules.