In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, I sit down with Derek Chase, founder of OnSight Technology and now VP of Robotics & AI at Nextracker, following OnSight’s recent acquisition.
Derek reveals how his team developed AI-powered robots that are changing the way we manage solar farms—from inspecting millions of panels to predicting failures and reducing costly maintenance. He also explains how the breakthrough Owl fire detection system became the first outdoor smoke detector designed specifically for solar sites, helping prevent wildfires and protecting communities.
We explore:
• How robotics and AI are driving sustainability in large-scale solar energy projects.
• The environmental aspects of preventing fires and equipment failures at utility-scale solar farms.
• Why consistent, AI-driven inspections are essential for long-term reliability and reduced maintenance costs.
• Derek’s entrepreneurial journey: building SunSystem Technology, launching OnSight, and scaling through the Nextracker acquisition.
This is a powerful story at the intersection of technology, clean energy, and environmental responsibility.
Chapters:
00:00 – The scale of solar farms & why AI robots are essential
02:06 – Derek Chase: from SunSystem to OnSight Technology
05:32 – Why drones weren’t enough: the case for ground robotics
10:28 – The Owl: world’s first outdoor smoke & fire detector for solar sites
27:35 – OnSight’s acquisition by Nextracker
33:56 – Lessons learned: patience and building deep tech
41:33 – Staying hungry after success & what’s next
Website: https://onsightops.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onsight-technology/
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Mark Haney is a serial entrepreneur that has experience growing companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He is currently the CEO and founder of HaneyBiz
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Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarkhaney​
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markehaney​
Website: http://haneybiz.com​
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This video includes personal knowledge, experiences, and opinions about Angel Investing by seasoned angel investors. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Nothing in this video constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement.
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