AI-Powered Robot Maximo Installs 100 MW of Solar Energy in California

AES, one of the world’s largest energy companies, has reached a key milestone in solar construction with its Maximo robots installing 100 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity in Kern County, California. The project represents one of the largest real-world demonstrations of robotic automation in utility-scale solar installations. Maximo robots use advanced artificial intelligence to automate heavy lifting and accelerate the process of placing solar panels, effectively doubling installation rates compared to traditional methods. With Nvidia’s support, engineers refined the robots’ capabilities using AI-driven modeling and physics-based simulations before field deployment. The third-generation Maximo robots can now install one module per minute, allowing human crews to assemble up to 24 solar panel modules per hour per worker. AES plans to scale the project to a full gigawatt (GW) of solar power after successful field testing. Chris Shelton, president of Maximo, described reaching 100 MW as a major step toward proving that field robotics can deliver consistent, utility-scale results. Beyond efficiency, the development responds to growing labor shortages in the construction sector, showing how automation, vision systems, and simulation engineering can bridge critical gaps in workforce and project speed. This initiative demonstrates how AI and robotics are transforming the renewable energy sector, improving productivity, consistency, and scalability in large-scale solar construction worldwide.