Swap Robotics announced it has secured $7 million in seed funding to automate solar vegetation management with 100% electric autonomous robots. This round was led by SOLV energyone of the largest developers of utility-scale solar projects in the US, with participation of some of the largest solar vegetation cutters, angel investors and HAX of the SOSV.
Solar is one of the fastest growing segments in the renewable energy industry. However, the cost of maintaining solar vegetation, unsustainable equipment, and labor shortages have become barriers to running a project efficiently and thus to the rapid adoption of solar energy, especially for large-scale projects. According to leading solar O&M providers, vegetation maintenance accounts for a large part of the operational costs of solar projects.
Traditional solutions such as using diesel-powered lawnmowers are neither efficient nor sustainable. Coupled with constraints caused by project structures in typical cutting equipment operations and labor shortages due to difficult working conditions, solar vegetation management requires an innovative, efficient solution to support the rapid pace of global solar deployment.
Swap Robotics offers a customizable and autonomous robotic solution. Its electric robots adhere to a Robotics-as-a-Service concept and integrate an in-house hydraulic platform that allows attachments to be easily “swapped” for different use cases and activities.
During the first pass, the robot pre-maps each location to determine the most efficient and safe route through the project area. Then it can drive its routes autonomously with remote monitoring. In addition to the feature of 24/7 operability, Swap’s robots are designed to traverse variable terrain with mower decks capable of handling dense grass and woody vegetation up to two inches in diameter.
“We are very excited to partner with the largest US solar manufacturers and largest solar vegetation cutters to help make solar energy more affordable for decades to come,” said Tim Lichti, CEO of Swap Robotics.
“The solar industry is preparing for huge investments resulting from the passage of anti-inflation legislation. Driving the development of innovative technologies is essential to optimizing our capabilities and preparing our workforce for the influx of new projects in a growing number of states.” said George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy.
Swap Robotics will use the funding to expand its team and increase solar vegetation cutting operations through partnerships with some of the largest utility-scale solar developers.
Before this investment Swap Robotics received $3 million by angel investors and SOSV.