News

Solar Energy Robotics, in partnership with Earthtrack and the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP), recently completed a highly successful field test of the G2 Autonomous Solar Cleaning Robot (ASCR). This innovative solution, developed specifically for Earthtrack’s legacy lighting tower clients, delivered exceptional results, surpassing all performance expectations.

The Challenge

Earthtrack’s clients in the mining and industrial sectors faced significant challenges in maintaining their lighting towers due to dust, debris, and harsh environmental conditions that reduced the efficiency of solar panels. This created the need for a reliable, automated cleaning solution capable of withstanding extreme environments while maintaining optimal performance with minimal human intervention.

Solar Energy Robotics Solution

To address these challenges, Solar Energy Robotics developed the G2 ASCR, an autonomous solar cleaning robot designed to maintain the efficiency of solar panels in rugged environments. The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct, located in just 35 minutes from Perth CBD, provided the ideal location for a comprehensive, month-long field test, simulating the harsh conditions of a mining site.

Key outcomes from the test included:

• Zero Downtime: The G2 ASCR operated continuously without the need for human intervention.
• Simulated 13 Years of Stress: Accelerated testing replicated 13 years of wear and tear in just one month, with no performance degradation.
• Pristine Panels: The robot successfully maintained solar panels in peak condition, maximizing lighting efficiency and extending equipment life.
• Flexible Configurations: The G2 ASCR was tested in three different configurations, all of which exceeded operational expectations.
• Fully Autonomous Operation: No manual intervention was required throughout the test, showcasing the robot’s ability to operate independently in demanding conditions.

What’s Next?

Following the success at AARP, Solar Energy Robotics and Earthtrack are preparing to conduct further testing of the G2 ASCR in the Pilbara region, a harsher environment with conditions near ore crushers. This next phase will assess the robot’s performance in even more extreme conditions, building confidence in its ability to meet the demands of heavy industrial applications.

Solar Energy Robotics and Earthtrack plan to bring the G2 ASCR to market in early 2025, targeting Earthtrack’s existing customer base in the mining sector. Early feedback suggests that the G2 ASCR will significantly extend the lifespan of lamps and batteries, offering a substantial return on investment for industrial for industrial solar powered lighting technology solutions

This successful collaboration between Solar Energy Robotics, Earthtrack and the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct highlights how innovation, rigorous testing, and strategic partnerships can drive the development of advanced automation solutions. The G2 ASCR is poised to transform solar maintenance, reducing operational costs and improving efficiency in some of the toughest environments.

The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) is a world-leading collaborative innovation hub and Australia’s largest test and development site supporting the advancement of automation, robotics, remote operations and zero emissions technologies globally.

With seven test beds available for short or long term hire and a state-of-the-art headquarters designed to foster collaboration with remote teams and partners, the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct provides companies with a complete testing and development facility.

Find out how you can access the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct, email us today.