Since May, Solar Prize finalists have been working on advancing their award-winning solar solutions in the hopes of winning $500,000 at Go! Demo Day next month. Today, we’re spotlighting finalists Gritt Robotics and Fram Energy.
Gritt Robotics’ Solar Prize innovation combines robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the construction of large solar farms. The team was named a Round 7 finalist for their technology that converts off-the-shelf construction equipment into intelligent robots that are specialized for solar installation.
As demands for solar installation increase, Gritt Robotics’ AI software can make solar construction up to 10 times faster than current methods. Additionally, this solution improves worker health and safety by automating the most labor-intensive steps of installation (moving, lifting, and placing solar panels). Learn more about Gritt Robotics’ Solar Prize submission.
Watch Gritt Robotics' Set! submission video.
What’s holding back solar installation from rental properties? That’s the key problem Fram Energy is working to solve with their Round 7 Solar Prize submission that addresses the split incentives for deploying solar on rental units. Their innovative platform incentivizes landlords to install solar by enabling both the renter and landlord to capture savings from a solar installation.
This software helps the landlord select the best solar system for their property and distributes the benefits of solar to both the tenant and property owner, expanding renters’ access to solar energy. In addition to creating a win-win solution for landlords and renters, this innovation will help unlock the >400TW/year in clean energy generation that currently goes unrealized through rental homes. Fram Energy was named a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest winner for their project’s focus on bringing solar to the underserved rental market. Learn more about Fram Energy’s solar innovation.
Stay tuned to find out if either of these teams become grand prize winners at Go! Demo Day in September!
