Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corp. today announced that it has successfully completed final validation of its Outdoor Autonomous Manipulation of Photovoltaic Panels (O-AMPP) project.
During this field trial, Sarcos said it collaborated with Mortenson, JLG Industries, Array Technologies, and Pratt Miller to achieve this critical project milestone at a Mortenson project site, which validated the Sarcos robotic solar field construction solution.
Partners help with validation process
During the validation of this system, a proof-of-concept O-AMPP system consisting of an Autonomous Working Vehicle (AWV) featuring the Guardian® XM robotic system, and an Autonomous Delivery Vehicle (ADV), was used to optimize the flow of photovoltaic modules from delivery to installation.
Sarcos collaborated with several leading companies involved in the renewable energy industry to complete this testing, including:
- Mortenson provided critical subject matter expertise and a validation site.
- JLG Industries supplied the mobile elevating work platform used for the AWV, onto which the Guardian XM robotic system was mounted and integrated.
- Array Technologies supplied the tracker technology used in the project along with engineering resources.
- Pratt Miller provided the mobile base, leveraging their Flexible Robotic Platform with the PM-ADS™ autonomy system, on which the ADV prototype was built.
“Achieving this market validation and field test milestone is a mission-critical step on our path to commercializing our robotic solar field construction solution and, ultimately, enhancing safety and productivity in the solar field construction industry,” said Kiva Allgood, president and CEO of Sarcos.
“I am grateful to the teams at Mortenson, JLG Industries, Pratt Miller, and Array Technologies for their support, expertise, and resources throughout this process, and we look forward to collaborating in the future as we prepare to make this solution readily available to the industry,” Allgood added.
Solar energy demand continues to grow
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), annual solar installations will need to increase by 60% between now and 2030 in order to meet the Biden administration’s climate targets of solar energy reaching 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030, the Salt Lake City, Utah-based company noted.
To meet this solar installation goal, SEIA estimates that an anticipated workforce expansion of nearly 900,000 new workers will be required, Sarcos explained. Given current labor force limitations—the U.S. solar industry employed approximately 230,000 workers in 2020—and a labor-intensive solar installation process, the solar field construction market represents a potentially massive addressable market for robotic technology.
“The solar construction industry is facing unprecedented labor shortages while simultaneously facing an increase in demand for solar energy,” said Trent Mostaert, vice president of industrialization at Mortenson. “We believe the O-AMPP system can address these challenges while improving safety, productivity, and efficiency for our workers.
“It will also enable solar project developers to scale output and production to the levels needed to achieve the Energy Department’s 2030 and 2050 renewable energy goals. We are excited about the possibilities and potential impact of the O-AMPP system in solar construction.”
Sarcos will be taking part in the 35th annual Roth Conference next week. The show will feature over 400 private and public companies in business services, health and wellness, oil and gas, metal and mining, technology, media, and sustainability
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