Robotics company and leading electrical contractor partner to increase worker safety and streamline utility-scale solar construction
ULC Technologies, a developer of innovative robotic solutions within the energy industry, was contracted by Rosendin, one of the nation’s largest employee-owned electrical contractors, to design and develop a robotic solution for photovoltaic (PV) solar module installation. The robotic systems, which have already undertaken field trials on real-world utility-scale solar construction sites, work in collaboration with skilled trade workers to accelerate construction timeframes, increase worker safety, and support the expansion of renewable energy production.
“The solution we designed and developed consists of three separate autonomous systems, a Panel Setting Robot and two Panel Carrier Robots, working collaboratively with human operators to install solar PV panels at mid- to large-scale solar facilities,” said Ali Asmari, Director of R&D Project Management at ULC Technologies. “The Panel Setting Robot is a construction-grade tracked robotic platform with an integrated robotic arm to perform semi-autonomous installation of solar panels in collaboration with human operators. Once the robot positions the panel, field operators can guide it into position and complete the installation with fastening hardware and electrical connections.”
The two Panel Carrier Robots carry pallets of solar panels between the loading area and the Panel Setting Robot’s installation location–ensuring a continuous feed of panels and eliminating downtime.
The solar panel installation robots were designed to withstand exposure to high temperatures while navigating a range of construction site terrain including deep mud, uneven surfaces, and more. This upfront work enabled ULC to rapidly move from the conceptualization phase of the project to field trials in just 18 months.
The robots were extensively field-tested at utility-scale solar construction sites, resulting in a robotic system capable of production rates of under one minute per panel. In a ten-hour shift, ULC estimates the robots along with a 2-person crew could install 600 panels.
Traditional installation methods require extensive manual labor. Large solar farms can have upwards of 1M panels that need to be installed and, with each panel weighing 80 to 100lbs, this translates to strenuous work. In addition, the remote nature of solar sites makes it challenging for contractors to find enough skilled labor to meet the demand.
“Working with Rosendin’s use case, we designed and developed a solution that will revolutionize solar panel installation at large-scale sites,” said Steve Green, VP of Business Development for Location and Inspection at SPX Technologies, the parent company of ULC Technologies. “Extensive field testing proved how the robots relieve heavy lifting from workers, supplementing their expertise with a supportive tool that helps protect workers while allowing them to be more productive.”
To learn more about Solar Panel Construction Robots, please visit https://ulctechnologies.com/technologies/solar-panel-installation-robot/
About ULC Technologies LLC.:
ULC Technologies, LLC designs, develops, and deploys robotic systems, artificial intelligence processes, and innovative inspection technology for the energy, utility, renewables, and industrial sectors. Our technologies help companies cause less disruption to the public, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve worker safety, and minimize costs. ULC Technologies is part of SPX Technologies. Learn more about ULC Technologies at https://ulctechnologies.com.
SPX Technologies is a supplier of highly engineered products and technologies, holding leadership positions in the HVAC and detection and measurement markets. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, SPX Technologies has approximately 3,100 employees in 15 countries. SPX Technologies is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “SPXC.” For more information, please visit www.spx.com.
About Rosendin:
Rosendin, headquartered in San Jose, is employee-owned and one of the largest electrical contractors in the United States, employing over 8,000 people, with $3 billion in revenue. Established in 1919, Rosendin remains proud of our more than 100 years of building quality electrical and communications installations and value for our clients but, most importantly, for building people within our company and our communities. Our customers lead some of the most complex construction projects in history and rely on us for our knowledge, our ability to scale, and our dedication to quality. At Rosendin, we work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential by building a culture that is diverse, safe, welcoming, and inclusive. For more information, visit www.rosendin.com
