Cool Combination of Robots & Solar-RTS of QBotix at SPI2012
Dear Friends & Visitors/Viewers/Readers,
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I was thrilled to find this fantastic innovation at Solar Power International 2012!
According to Wikipedia, at least 85% of commercial PV installations greater than 1 MW, between 2009-2012, have used solar trackers.
The recently unveiled RTS by QBotix, a new company (from Menlo Park, CA) that is bringing the power of robotics to solar energy. The Robotic Tracking System (RTS) is a comprehensive dual-axis tracking system (at a single-axis system’s cost but generates up to 15% more energy) that employs rugged, intelligent and mobile robots to dynamically operate solar power plants and maximize energy output. By having the robot (some call it solbot) running on a track, as a monorail, servicing up to 200 solar panels, at 40-minute intervals throughout the day, this tracking system can help the solar panels to receive a performance boost of as much as 40% over existing fixed mount systems and lowers the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) by up to 20%. Furthermore, RTS offers fast installation and has low operation and maintenance costs, and is compatible with all solar panels and mounting foundations. When connecting with each panel, RTS adjusts the angle of the panel and collects data about the panel. I can see the potential of a self-cleaning RTS/solbot that may be programmed to conserve/minimize the water use in cleaning all solar panels. Wouldn’t that be great?! Apparently, RTS also has a certified IP-65, meaning it is impervious to dust and water.
RTS fundamentally re-invents the design of all solar tracking systems. RTS utilizes a pair of autonomous robots, one primary and one back-up, to control 300 kW of solar panels with high accuracy and reliability. The solar panels are installed on QBotix designed mounting systems that don’t have any individual motors and are optimized for cost, strength, durability and installation simplicity. The robots travel on a track and adjust each mounting system to optimally face the sun in succession. Each robot replaces hundreds of individual motors and controllers found on conventional tracking systems. The embedded intelligence and data communication capabilities of each autonomous robot optimize power plant performance and enables detailed operational knowledge at an unprecedented level. “Robots have proven themselves in extreme and diverse environments from the surface of Mars to battlefields and ocean depths. We’re now deploying the innovations developed in robotics over the last several decades to manage solar power plants,” said Wasiq Bokhari, CEO and founder of QBotix. “Our main focus is to deliver a compelling combination of high performance, reliability, competitive cost, and unprecedented intelligence to our customers. Regardless of the choice of solar panels, inverters, foundations or other system components, the use of RTS will dramatically lower LCOE compared to all existing mounting or tracking systems.” (Source: QBotix Press Release).
For this interview of RTS of QBotix with Lalo Ruiz (Director of Engineering) and Wasiq Bokhari (Founder and CEO), Mike and I also switched role, he interviewed while I filmed. Then I edited, and uploaded the clip.
~have a bright and sunny day~
gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Homepage: http://www.sunisthefuture.net
Tags: dual-axis, IP-65, Is The Future, Lalo Ruiz, LCOE, Levelized Cost of Electricity, QBotix, Robotic Tracking System, RTS, single-axis, solar, Sun, Sun Is The Future, sunisthefuture, sunisthefuture.net, susan sun nunamaker, tracking system, Wasiq Bokhari, www.sunisthefuture.net