Imagine a world where installing solar panels is faster, safer, and more efficient. That’s exactly what Rosendin Electric and ULC Technologies are aiming to achieve with their innovative robotic systems. If you’ve ever been involved in solar panel installations, you know how labor-intensive and repetitive the process can be. But these two powerhouses are changing the game.
Based in Hauppauge, New York, ULC Technologies is making waves with their groundbreaking robotic systems designed specifically for solar farms. They’ve developed three separate autonomous systems: a Panel Setting Robot and two Panel Carrier Robots. These robots work hand-in-hand with skilled workers, speeding up construction timelines and boosting safety on the job.
You can imagine how this could revolutionize the industry, especially when large-scale solar sites need up to a million panels installed!
Ali Asmari, the director of research and development project management at ULC Technologies, explained, “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.”
The systems are built tough to handle challenging environmental conditions, ensuring a steady flow of panels to the installation site and cutting down on downtime.
ULC Technologies is no stranger to innovation. They snagged the 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for their Cable Splicing Machine. Their expertise spans across energy, utility, renewables, and industrial sectors, focusing on minimizing environmental impact, enhancing safety, and slashing costs.
You might be wondering how these robots actually perform in the field. Well, extensive testing at utility-scale sites has shown they can install panels in under a minute each! This means a two-person crew could potentially install 600 panels in a 10-hour shift. That’s a game-changer.
Founded in 2001, ULC Technologies has come a long way from concept to field trials, developing rugged systems capable of semi-autonomous panel installation. Their parent company, SPX Technologies, acquired ULC in 2020 and is a prominent player in HVAC and detection markets, with over 3,100 employees worldwide.
Rosendin Electric, on the other hand, is one of the largest employee-owned electrical contractors in the U.S., boasting over a century of experience and a workforce of more than 8,000. Their collaboration is a significant step forward in integrating robotics into renewable energy, promising enhanced productivity and safety for solar panel installations.
So, if you’re in the solar industry or just curious about how technology is reshaping our world, keep an eye on this collaboration. It’s paving the way for a brighter, more efficient future in renewable energy.
