Chinese robot boosts solar panel installation efficiency in Australia
A Chinese technology company has successfully completed its first solar module mounting contract using an AI-controlled robot in Australia. This innovative approach has not only reduced the project delivery time by 25 per cent but has also replaced the work of three to four human workers.
Leapting, the Chinese company behind this milestone, deployed its Litian Intelligent robot at Neoen’s Culcairn solar farm in New South Wales. The robot efficiently installed 10,000 solar modules, marking its first commercial deployment and showcasing a significant achievement in the field.
Revolutionary Technology
The Litian Intelligent robot, standing at 2.5 meters high, operates with a self-guided, self-propelled crawler equipped with advanced navigation and visual recognition systems. This technology allows the robot to adapt to various terrains and environmental conditions, ensuring precise placement of solar panels using multi-modal 3D sensors.
Leapting reported a remarkable increase in installation efficiency, estimating a 3-5 times improvement compared to manual operations. The robot’s ability to handle panels weighing up to 30 kilograms streamlines the installation process and enhances overall productivity.
Addressing Industry Challenges
The development of installation robots for large-scale solar farms aims to tackle several industry challenges, including scalability, labour costs, and environmental factors such as heat. With projects like the Culcairn solar farm requiring hundreds of thousands of panels, manual installation methods become inefficient and time-consuming.
Leapting’s innovative solution not only boosts installation rates but also mitigates safety risks associated with manual labour in remote and harsh construction environments. By utilising robots for installation tasks, the company aims to overcome worker shortages and minimise downtime due to injuries.
The deployment of the Litian Intelligent robot at the Culcairn solar farm has set a precedent for future projects, with plans to expand its usage to other solar farms in Australia. The robot’s impressive performance, installing up to 60 modules per hour, is poised to revolutionise the solar farm construction industry and significantly reduce project timelines.
Future Endeavours and Expansion
Following the success at the Culcairn solar farm, Leapting is gearing up to deploy the robot at another solar farm in Australia, where it will install approximately 500,000 panels. This expansion signifies the growing adoption of robotic technology in the renewable energy sector and highlights the potential for increased efficiency and productivity.
Neoen, the developer overseeing the Culcairn solar farm project, has embraced innovative solutions like the AI-controlled robot to enhance construction processes and meet ambitious project timelines. With plans for further developments in solar, wind, and battery projects across Australia, Neoen is at the forefront of sustainable energy initiatives in the country.
As the renewable energy sector continues to evolve, the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI-controlled robots demonstrates a commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in solar farm construction.
