Brittmore Group LLC, supplier of structural balance-of-system components and automated installation solutions for large scale PV power plant construction, today announced the completion of a 30kW demonstration site in Lodi, CA utilizing Brittmores automated PV installation system and pre-panelized frameless c-Si modules with a Dow Corning bonded mounting interface.
The installation was completed by BTA Solar as a pilot for an upcoming large-scale project. The Brittmore System consists of the WaveRack fixed tilt ground mount, pre-panelized PV modules, and automated large-panel PV shuttles. The WaveRack is an economical fixed tilt rack designed for rapid and efficient assembly.
Pre-panelization, a process where multiple solar modules are preassembled and wired into larger construction building blocks, is accomplished at a nearby facility under factory conditions. These large building blocks are then delivered to the construction site where they are installed by the automated PV Shuttles. PV Shuttles utilize the WaveRack as an elevated delivery track, placing each panel assembly at its mounting position from a load station at the end of the array.
Each shuttle can transport panel assemblies at rates in excess of 40 per hour. Entire arrays are rapidly populated from a centralized material handling location, eliminating the need for heavy equipment traveling between array rows and simplifying logistics. Panelization of the frameless c-Si modules was performed using Dow Corning construction adhesive technology.
We are excited to see the Brittmore System in action, commented Axel H. Giesecke, Global Solar Marketing Manager of Dow Corning. Adhesive-based back rail panelization offers a significant cost reduction for utility scale PV, but until now, the installation of large-panel assemblies has required large equipment and lacked efficiency. The Brittmore System appears to have resolved these issues through their innovative automated installation method using a small robot. The holistic approach taken by several parties to collaborate across the PV value chain has resulted into an innovative design and installation method for PV solar systems with attractive cost reduction opportunities for ground mounted PV.
The Brittmore System targets lowest total install costs by reducing materials, labor, site logistics, earthworks, and construction time. Beyond the obvious benefits of installation speed and labor reduction, the Brittmore System enables us to use frameless modules in our projects, reducing overall material costs and simplifying the grounding circuit. This demonstration proved Brittmores robotics can install frameless modules without damage and much more efficiently than manual labor, said Rich Remington, owner of BTA Solar.
A video of the demonstration is available at http://www.brittmore.com/products
