Europe's first automated solar park is being built in Penaflo, Valladolid.
EDP uses advanced robotic solutions from Comau to accelerate the assembly of solar panels.
Automation will reduce the construction time of solar parks by up to 50%.
The project aims to optimize efficiency and improve workplace safety by allowing robots to perform more heavy tasks.
Portuguese energy company EDP led the initiative, betting on automation to optimize its processes. In cooperation with Comau, an Italian company specializing in robotics, an innovative technology capable of automatically installing solar panels has been developed on a large scale. In addition to reducing labor for the most heavy tasks, this advance also reduces assembly time by up to 50 percent.
How does automation work at Penafro Solar Park?
The AutoPV project consists of a mobile plant with a system called Hyperflex, which is transported to the site by truck. After on-site assembly, the plant has an automatic assembly station for pre-assembly of photovoltaic structures. Thanks to a robot called a robo station, these structures are moved and positioned at precise points on the land. The process consists of three main stages: unloading and assembly, structural construction, and disassembly to move the plant to a new location. The result is a flexible and efficient production cycle that allows large solar parks to be built in less time and with less manual labor for workers. The combination of this technology with robotics guarantees the installation of solar panels with higher precision, which can improve the durability of the facility.
Collaboration between man and machine
One of the most remarkable features of the project is the synergy of technology and workers. Robots are responsible for the most difficult and repetitive tasks, such as manipulating solar panels, while employees focus on more specialized and technical tasks that require higher levels of qualification. This "human-machine collaboration" model not only helps to improve safety in the work environment, it also promises to increase the overall productivity of the project.
Specifically, EDP is committed to ensuring that its employees are able to take on more qualified roles and spend less time doing strenuous physical activity. In this way, the well-being of workers is improved, the margin of operational error is reduced, and the construction process is accelerated.
The impact of automation on solar energy.
The use of this technology at Penafro Solar Park is not only a technological advance, but could be the first step towards achieving that goal. The global transformation of solar park construction. If the pilot project is successful, EDP says it intends to transfer this automation technology to other projects in different parts of the world.
The company also highlighted that by reducing the assembly time of solar panels, the pace of construction of solar farms will be accelerated, which will significantly contribute to the company's sustainability goals. Currently, 98 percent of all energy produced at EDP comes from renewable sources, but this first automated solar park could have a significant impact on future developments.
Comau and Hyperflex mobile factories.
The success of the AutoPV project cannot be achieved without cooperation with Comau, an Italian company that develops robotics technology, and the Hyperflex mobile factory. The technology was originally designed for the automotive industry, but has been adapted to the needs of the solar industry. Up to 30% more panels can be assembled per hour by Hyperflex, and the overall installation cost per panel is approximately 35% lower compared to traditional manual methods.
One of the features of the mobile factory is the ability to adapt to different types of solar panels. Its flexibility is key, so it can be used for different installations and different types of terrain.
A path to faster, more efficient and sustainable energy.
With its focus on automation, EDP reaffirms its commitment to renewable energy and accelerating the energy transition. Penafrol's project is just the first step in a long-term plan as the company seeks to integrate the technology into future solar power plants in Europe and other parts of the world. Antonio Coutinho, CEO of EDP Innovacion, said the ultimate goal is to make the technology a key part of all of the company's operations worldwide.
In addition to the immediate benefits in terms of efficiency and safety, this automation model will help EDP achieve its sustainability goals. The company aims to abandon coal-fired power generation by 2025, be 2,030% green by 100, and be net emissions-neutral by 2040.
The development of automated solar parks in Spain not only marks a before and after change in the way these infrastructures are built, but in the long term it could serve as a source of inspiration for other countries seeking sustainable energy capacity.
