Installing Solar Panels via Robot

The solar energy industry has taken off over the last few years due largely to the significant drop in solar panel price, driven by Chinese manufacturers. But these low prices alone aren't always enough to make solar technology economically feasible. After all, each square meter of traditional solar panel produces an average of 145 Watts of electricity, enough for maybe three lightbulbs.

(Credit: solarpowerauthority.com -->)

But there are other ways to cut costs besides reducing the price of the panel. As stated in a previous article, buying the solar panels is only about 20% of the price tag for small residential setups. Installation costs play a much larger role. Though it is not quite so large a fraction for larger systems and solar plants, the setup cost is still significant, especially since each solar panel has to be placed and hooked-up by hand.

Some solar companies, such as PV Kraftwerker and Gehrlicher in Germany, have been working on new ways to reduce these costs using robots that can install ground-mounted panels. These machines can work nonstop day and night and in all types of weather conditions, saving companies big dollars on labor costs. PV Kraftwerker states that these robots have cut their installation staff needs from 35 to three, and the work can be done eight times faster.

(<-- Credit: Gehrlicher Solar AG)

PV's robot was built from off-the-shelf Japanese components, including a robotic arm with suction cup grips to grab the panels and a camera to guide them into place. All this is mounted on an all-terrain vehicle with continuous tracks. The whole package summed a hefty $900,000. But in perspective, labor costs for a 14-megawatt solar plant are estimated at $2 million, meaning one of these guys could pay for itself in less than a year of continual use.

Right now, the robot can only place the large solar panels on a metal frame already put in place by people. Two workers walk alongside the robot to screw the panels into the frame and make the electrical connections. But the creation of more flexible and adaptable solar modules could allow for more multi-functional robots. For example, snap or glued connections could eliminate the need for workers to screw the panels in; special plugs could even enable the robots to make the electrical connections.

Automating the installation process is definitely a step in the right direction for solar power. It won't be much help for the residential sector (putting panels on roofs), but it will likely be a long-term money-saver for solar power plants. As renewable power plants become more familiar, I expect to see more improvements like these develop which aim to make construction and operation leaner and more efficient.

References

These Robots Install Solar Panels - Technology Review