"Maximo" can install solar panels in half the
time and for half the cost
ARLINGTON, Va., July 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES)
introduced "Maximo" today, a groundbreaking, AI-powered robot that
enhances solar installation speed, efficiency and safety. Maximo is
a first-of-its-kind robotic solution that works alongside
construction teams to help meet rapidly growing renewable energy
demand.
According to the IEA, by 2035, solar annual additions are
expected to triple, and the workforce will need to nearly double.
Maximo can install solar panels in half the time and half the cost,
working together with on-the-ground crews to accelerate renewable
energy deployment, reducing time-to-power for customers.
"Maximo is the first proven solar installation robot on the
market," said Andrés Gluski, AES President and CEO. "We are facing
unprecedented increases in demand, driven in large part by the rise
of AI and data centers, and innovations like these will be
fundamental for accelerating our ability to bring projects online
faster and with greater efficiency."
Maximo enhances the safety and scalability of solar installation
by automating the heavy lifting for placing and attaching solar
modules. It accelerates project timelines, creates new high-tech
jobs and brings opportunities to new segments of the workforce.
Maximo expands job opportunities in solar installation, while
providing individuals the experience to develop AI skills and learn
emerging technologies.
Maximo has already installed nearly 10 MW of solar and is
projected to install 100 MW by 2025. AES expects to use Maximo to
help build up to 5 GW of its solar backlog and pipeline over the
next three years.
AES will utilize Maximo in its construction of the 2 GW
Bellefield project in Kern County,
California, the largest solar-plus-storage project in the
US, under contract with Amazon. Oak Ridge
Solar project in Louisiana,
also helping power Amazon operations, was a significant milestone
in Maximo's journey as its first utility-scale deployment.
"As society's energy needs grow, the demand for new solar and
wind projects are also increasing, requiring us to innovate so we
can scale more quickly," said Chris
Walker, Director of AWS Sustainability. "We're excited to
collaborate with renewable energy developers like AES that are
prioritizing the use of AI technologies that can help us
fast-forward to a carbon-free energy future."
Maximo's AI-powered features include:
- AI-Powered Computer Vision: Ensures precise panel
placement, enhancing installation accuracy.
- Continuous Learning: Adapting for optimal
performance and driving efficiency improvements.
- Image reconstruction: Proprietary generative AI
pipeline that reconstructs images obscured by glare or related
lighting conditions.
"Today, the US solar industry is setting an impressive pace,
installing about 15,000 modules per hour, weighing one million
pounds. Looking ahead, this installation rate is projected to reach
50,000 modules per hour by 2035," said Chris Shelton, AES Chief Product Officer. "In
response to this exponential growth, we are scaling Maximo,
deploying fleets of continually improving robots to empower our
teams for faster and more competitive installations."
Maximo can perform in a broad range of climates and lighting
conditions and has been validated in the field across a variety of
US project sites. It will begin installing at Bellefield in
August.
About AES
The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global energy
company accelerating the future of energy. Together with our many
stakeholders, we're improving lives by delivering the greener,
smarter energy solutions the world needs. Our diverse workforce is
committed to continuous innovation and operational excellence,
while partnering with our customers on their strategic energy
transitions and continuing to meet their energy needs today. For
more information, visit www.aes.com.
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Press Release
Media Contact: Katie Lau, 832-455-1165, katie.lau@aes.com
Investor Contact: Susan Harcourt
703-682-1204, susan.harcourt@aes.com
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SOURCE The AES Corporation