Robots install solar panels at Xizang's 4,300-meter altitude project

A photovoltaic project in Chamdo, Xizang autonomous region, deployed robots to install solar panels while cutting construction risks, according to the project manager.

The application took place at a 300-megawatt solar project in Yechen township, Pashoi county, where construction teams were working at elevations above 4,300 meters. The project began construction in August 2025.

Built on around 357 hectares with an investment of 980 million yuan ($143.5 million), the project is designed to supply electricity mainly to the Chamdo area and other areas in the region. Once fully operational, it is expected to generate about 530 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to meet the needs of around 1.38 million people, according to the project team.

Harsh conditions, including thin air, low temperatures, and a construction window of only about five months each year, have posed major challenges for manual installation. To address this, the project introduced four intelligent photovoltaic installation robots on a trial basis.

"The goal is to test robotic solutions in high-altitude construction and accumulate experience for future large-scale projects," said Yang Shuanglong, the project manager.

Each robot can install about 100 solar panels per hour, roughly doubling the efficiency of manual work, Yang said.

The robots operate by remote control and are supported by a 5G system for real-time monitoring. They are capable of autonomous navigation, precise positioning, and integrated installation, and were mainly used for panel transport, lifting, and placement.

At the site, the robots formed a coordinated workflow with workers, in which machines handle installation while workers conduct verification and monitoring.

Yang said early results show the technology is well-suited to high-altitude environments and could be expanded in future projects across Xizang.

The project has also generated nearly 15 million yuan in local income through related services, while employing more than 100 residents from nearby villages, according to local media reports.

It also adopts a "solar-grazing" model, allowing livestock to graze beneath elevated panels.