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Sarcos, a provider of advanced robotic systems, and Blattner Company, a prominent renewable energy installer, have entered into a collaboration agreement to enhance and perfect Sarcos’ autonomous robotic solar construction system tailored for the installation of solar modules in large-scale solar projects.

Traditionally, solar construction processes are characterized by labor-intensive activities like pre-staging of palletized modules, manual installation, and post-installation cleanup. In contrast, Sarcos’ robotic system is capable of transporting, detecting, lifting, and positioning solar modules on-site, thereby expediting construction timelines, enhancing installation precision, and boosting both worker safety and efficiency.

Similar to various other industries, the solar construction sector is grappling with notable labor shortages in the aftermath of COVID-19, impeding the advancement of numerous solar projects in the United States. Laura Peterson, Acting President and CEO of Sarcos, highlighted that the company’s autonomous robotic solar construction system is anticipated to alleviate these workforce constraints, concurrently enhancing safety measures and accelerating the speed of solar installations.

The genesis of Sarcos’ robotic innovation can be traced back to the prototype created for the Sarcos Outdoor Autonomous Manipulation of Photovoltaic Panels (O-AMPP) initiative, backed by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). Having successfully concluded the project’s ultimate validation in March, Sarcos is now partnering with Blattner to advance employee safety and installation efficiency. This collaboration will involve a sequence of field trials, with Blattner contributing funding, specialized knowledge, and testing infrastructure to further refine the technology.

To ensure a successful commercial launch of the system by late 2024, rigorous testing under diverse environmental conditions across multiple locations is considered an essential milestone. This comprehensive testing phase will enable the system to demonstrate its reliability and effectiveness across different scenarios, ensuring its readiness for widespread deployment.

Extensive research data consistently highlight the significant role of utility-scale solar projects in driving the growth of solar capacity and the decline of solar energy costs. By introducing robotics solutions into this sector, the impact of utility-scale solar in facilitating the energy transition process will be further enhanced. Moreover, the integration of robotics will generate valuable data that can be used to assess the potential for automation and workforce evolution in other segments of the solar industry. This collaboration between robotics and utility-scale solar promises to accelerate the industry’s progress towards a more sustainable and efficient future.