Sarcos has designed a robotic PV development answer that delivers, detects, lifts, and locations PV modules in massive photo voltaic vegetation. The prototype answer was lately examined and validated in a pilot undertaking funded by the US Division of Power.
Industrial robotic programs producer Sarcos has developed an answer to automate and velocity up the development of enormous photo voltaic vegetation.
The US-based firm lately achieved the ultimate validation of its prototype answer within the Out of doors Autonomous Manipulation of Photovoltaic Panels (O-AMPP) undertaking, funded by the US Division of Power Photo voltaic Power Applied sciences Workplace. It didn’t disclose the precise location of the pilot set up.
“The photo voltaic development trade is dealing with unprecedented labor shortages whereas concurrently dealing with elevated demand for photo voltaic vitality,” mentioned Trent Mostaert, vp of industrialization on the engineering firm. of Mortenson development, a accomplice within the O-AMPP undertaking. “We imagine the O-AMPP system can handle these challenges whereas enhancing the protection, productiveness, and effectivity of our workforce. It can additionally allow photo voltaic undertaking builders to scale output and manufacturing on the stage wanted to satisfy the Power Division’s 2030 and 2050 renewable vitality objectives.
The proof-of-concept robotic system consists of an autonomous working automobile (AWV) that includes Sarcos’ Guardian XM robotic arm and an autonomous supply automobile (ADV). The answer makes use of cameras to find out the place PV panels must be put in. The robotic arm then autonomously lifts the panel utilizing a vacuum system and locations it within the approximate location the place it must be clamped to the mounting construction. “The arm then goes right into a particular mode the place the individual clamping the panel can simply transfer that panel nevertheless they should, to align it and connect it to the panels,” Sarcos defined to a video on its web site.
The corporate didn’t share particulars on whether or not the lifting mechanism of the vacuum system will deliver mechanical stress to the PV modules. It says the advantages of robotic options embody decrease gentle prices for initiatives, projection multiplication, higher development timelines and high quality, and a safer worksite that reduces the chance of lifting and fatigue-related accidents.
The O-AMPP undertaking started in 2021 and Sarcos expects to commercialize its answer in 2024. “Reaching this market validation and subject take a look at milestone is a essential mission step in our path to commercialize our robotic photo voltaic subject development answer and, finally, enhance security and productiveness within the photo voltaic subject development trade,” mentioned Kiva Allgood, CEO of Sarcos.
Array Applied sciences supplied the tracker system used within the pilot undertaking. Different trade companions embody tools producer JLG Industries, auto firm Pratt Miller, and Mortenson.
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