New robots to build solar power systems for Amazon and others, solving skills shortages and lowering costs

A new trend is emerging in the solar industry: using robots to automate the construction of solar parks. Companies like Planted Solar, which has already received $20 million in funding from Bill Gates, and Built Robotics are developing robots to perform various tasks in building solar farms, from preparing the land to installing the modules.

Turmoil in the solar industry, such as high interest rates and tighter project financing, has led to more than 100 bankruptcies this year in sunny California, for example, according to Solar Insure, which provides insurance for solar installations. in the USA

Consequently, some startups see robots as necessary for increased efficiency. In some cases, they work faster and more accurately than humans, resulting in shorter construction times. AES, for example, claims its robots can build solar parks twice as fast and at half the cost. Planted Solar managing director Eric Brown even talks about a two-thirds reduction in construction time.

Additionally, according to Brown, robot-assisted construction would require about 60% less space for solar plants and save labor. Another major reason for the planned use of robots in the solar industry is the current labor shortage. Robots can take over tasks for which it is increasingly difficult to find qualified workers:

We want to automate to save money. Lack of manpower will force you to do it faster.

– Evan Riley, managing partner of White Pine Renewables, a San Francisco-based solar project developer

The challenges of using robots to build solar parks

However, the cost of purchasing and operating robots remains high and it is necessary to increase the acceptance of industrial robots in the construction industry for mass use. A clear regulatory framework is also needed for its use in the construction industry. Moreover, many tasks cannot yet be performed by robots.

For example, built robots are not yet able to lift heavy steel beams, and working on rocky terrain is not easy. There are also challenges in terms of flexibility, such as adapting to different landforms and building plans. Therefore, solar building automation is still in its infancy and remains a niche product:

It is out of the norm compared to other markets in terms of scale, repeatability of work and customer appetite.

– Noah Ready-Campbell, director general de Built

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