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Electricity

Watch: Robots install solar project in Arizona desert

November 19, 2023 hello

Terabase Energy, developer of Terafab, an automated utility-scale solar installation platform, announced it has successfully completed its first commercial installation. The company’s “field factory” installed 17 MW of a 225 MW solar project in Arizona in development by Leeward Renewable Energy and engineering and construction contractor RES.

The Terafab system makes use of digital twins, logistics software, an on-site digital command center, a field-deployed automated assembly line, and installation rovers that can operate 24/7.

In the Arizona project, Terabase said its labor productivity improved 25% when compared with manual installation.

“[The project] demonstrates that Terabase’s technology can drive substantial progress in solar construction safety, quality, cost, and schedule,” said Will Schultek, vice president of construction, RES.

The installation system cuts the amount of labor needed on-site and improves working conditions for laborers. Workers are housed in shaded and cooled conditions, allowing for system operation and installation in harsh desert environments.

Reducing labor requirements to install utility-scale solar projects may prove useful for accelerating the energy transition. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) projects a demand of 800,000 new solar workers by 2030 to build the projects the United States needs to be on pace with its decarbonization plan. However, 44% of solar industry employers report it is “very difficult” to find qualified applicants, said the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).

Terabase’s field factory also enabled a 100% return on solar panel packaging for reuse by the manufacturer.

Leeward Renewable Energy executive vice president of project execution Sam Mangrum said the benefits demonstrated in the project underscore the “transformative potential of automation” in solar.

“This milestone marks a pivotal moment in our mission to accelerate solar plant deployment to meet the terawatt scale demands of the future,” said Matt Campbell, chief executive officer at Terabase Energy. “Furthermore, the Terafab system was deployed alongside our Construct digital twin software for managing and monitoring solar power plant construction.”

Watch the automated installer in action below:

via www.pv-magazine.com

Electricity

Arizona governor attends groundbreaking for 300-MW solar project

November 18, 2023 hello

BrightNight, in collaboration with its joint venture partner Cordelio Power and Southwest Public Power Agency (SPPA), has officially commenced the groundbreaking of the Box Canyon Solar Project. This significant 300-MW initiative, situated in Pinal County, Arizona, near the Town of Florence, marks a pivotal moment in SPPA’s history, representing the largest renewable energy procurement for the organization and a significant stride in Arizona’s transition to clean energy. Notably, this project is the inaugural construction launch within the 2 GW Arizona portfolio owned by BrightNight and Cordelio Power.

On November 15th, BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann, SPPA President of the Board Ken Robbins, and local leaders from Pinal County warmly welcomed Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to commemorate this momentous occasion.

Governor Hobbs expressed, “While our state continues to experience historic economic growth, we must ensure this growth is sustainable, and there is no better place to do that than in our rural communities. This monumental project will not only generate clean energy, it will provide consistent revenue for the state and good paying jobs for local residents. My administration is committed to ensuring Arizona’s potential for solar energy is fully realized so that we can make our state the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

This groundbreaking ceremony is a significant achievement following the competitive selection of the Box Canyon project by SPPA in December 2020. BrightNight took the lead in developing the Box Canyon project as part of its joint venture with Cordelio Power.

The Box Canyon Solar Project is poised to generate enough electricity to power 77,000 Arizona homes and businesses annually. With a design optimized for performance and cost-effectiveness through BrightNight’s proprietary artificial intelligence-based platform, the project aims to deliver high value at the lowest cost.

Economic benefits will extend to the local community, as highlighted in an economic impact study by Elliott Pollack and Associates. The construction phase is projected to generate $47 million in Pinal County economic impact and create 300 American jobs. During operation, the Box Canyon Solar Project is expected to contribute an estimated $134 million in additional local economic benefits, encompassing property taxes, wages, and more, resulting in a total county-level economic contribution exceeding $180 million.

Notably, the project will also support education initiatives, with BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann announcing during the groundbreaking that a portion of the project’s operating proceeds will fund scholarships for 50 students to enroll in Central Arizona College’s electrician program over the next five years.

Beyond the local impact, the Box Canyon Solar Project reflects a commitment to a broader vision for Arizona, encompassing a 2 GW portfolio with 900 MW in advanced stages across three counties. This initiative is expected to create over 800 local skilled jobs and generate substantial tax revenue for the state and local municipalities.

Anticipated to be operational in the first half of 2025, the Box Canyon Solar Project stands as a testament to BrightNight’s dedication to advancing sustainable energy solutions in collaboration with key partners and stakeholders in Arizona.