CrewMate, a semi-autonomous lifting vehicle developed by Moog Construction, recently completed a field trial near Niagara Falls, New York, demonstrating the machine’s ability to assist solar field workers installing PV panels. Buffalo-based Montante Solar organized the field trial with Moog Construction on a solar field on top of a closed landfill. The undulating, steep terrain proved a good test of the vehicle’s leveling system and its ability to climb and maneuver with workers.
For the field trial, CrewMate repeatedly transported pallets – each loaded with up to 31 large 93.9-by-51.3-inch PV panels – while closely monitoring workers who used the machine’s lifting assist to lift each 70-pound pallet. panel and guide it to the solar panel racks on site. CrewMate followed the installers between the solar racks until they emptied the pallet of PV panels, while keeping a safe distance from employees and objects. .
“CrewMate is an innovation that we believe can safely increase productivity and help meet the demand for new solar farms and employees,” said Steven Erck, VP of Montante Solar. “The PV panels in this field test are among the largest and heaviest installed by the crew; CrewMate took the burden off installation work that is often performed at high temperatures and in remote areas.”
Aditya Sharma, business development manager for strategic opportunities at Moog Construction, said: “CrewMate is a ‘cobot’ that improves the way solar workers approach their work; it increases the work that crews can accomplish.”
Within minutes of introducing CrewMate, the solar team understood how to operate the gripper to pick up and move panels. CrewMate also offers the ability to reduce panel breakage and eliminate injuries, sprains and strains from repetitive lifting and moving of PV panels.
This fall, CrewMate will carry out a larger pilot project to help install a solar field at a new location.
News item from Moog Construction
