Rosendin Electric examined photo voltaic module set up with robots it contracted ULC to construct. Source: ULC Technologies
Construction of photovoltaic cells requires heavy lifting, exact meeting, and repetitive placement at scale, making it a very good use case for robotics. ULC Technologies LLC final week stated Rosendin Electric Inc. has contracted it to design and develop a robotic system for photo voltaic module set up.
ULC stated its programs have already undertaken area trials on real-world photo voltaic building websites. They work with expert commerce employees to speed up building timeframes, enhance employee security, and assist the enlargement of renewable power manufacturing, claimed the Hauppauge, N.Y.-based firm.
“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,” defined Ali Asmari, director of analysis and improvement venture administration at ULC Technologies.
ULC received a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its Cable Splicing Machine, which it developed with Con Edison Company of New York. The 2025 RBR50 award winners will probably be acknowledged at a gala dinner on the Robotics Summit & Expo.
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ULC designs rugged programs for quick rollout
“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,” Asmari stated. “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 photo voltaic panels between the loading space and the Panel Setting Robot’s set up location. This ensures a steady feed of panels and eliminating downtime.
The robots had been designed to resist publicity to excessive temperatures whereas navigating a spread of building website terrain together with deep mud, uneven surfaces, and extra. ULC stated this upfront work enabled it to quickly transfer from the conceptualization part of the venture to area trials in simply 18 months.
Founded in 2001, ULC Technologies designs, develops, and deploys robots, synthetic intelligence processes, and inspection programs for the power, utility, renewables, and industrial sectors. The firm stated its applied sciences assist firms trigger much less disruption to the general public, cut back greenhouse gasoline emissions, enhance employee security, and reduce prices.
ULC has developed a number of robots to hold and set up photovoltaic modules. Source: ULC Technologies
Rosendin runs area assessments of photo voltaic set up robots
Traditional set up strategies require in depth handbook labor, famous ULC Technologies. Large photo voltaic farms can have as much as 1 million panels that must be put in and, with every panel weighing 80 to 100 lb. (36.2 to 45.3 kg), that is strenuous work.
In addition, the distant nature of photo voltaic websites makes it difficult for contractors to seek out sufficient expert labor to satisfy the demand, stated the corporate.
Established in 1919, Rosendin is employee-owned and one of many largest electrical contractors within the U.S., using over 8,000 individuals, with $3 billion in income. The San Jose, Calif.-based firm stated its clients “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.”
The firms extensively examined ULC’s robots at utility-scale photo voltaic building websites, leading to a robotic system able to manufacturing charges of beneath one minute per panel. In a 10-hour shift, ULC estimated that its robots and a two-person crew may set up 600 panels.
“Working with Rosendin’s use case, we designed and developed a solution that will revolutionize solar panel installation at large-scale sites,” stated Steve Green, vice chairman of enterprise improvement for location and inspection at SPX Technologies, the father or mother firm of ULC. “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.”
Charlotte, N.C.-based SPX Technologies stated it’s a chief within the heating, air flow, and air con (HVAC) and the detection and measurement markets. The firm, which acquired ULC in 2020, has about 3,100 staff in 15 international locations.