Discussion: A diesel powered, solar panel robots can now be used to install and clean solar panels. The cost of solar panels has become to expensive for most businesses. This is due to the rise in installation costs, even though the price of the actual solar panels has dropped. However, by automating the installation you can build seven times the solar capacity. The robots are so efficient that they can even be used to replace low cost labor in other countries.

Source: The New York Times Technology

Date: October 14, 2013

Link: http://nyti.ms/1bysDJ5

Questions for discussion:

• Can you think of other ways where we have seen robots automate a task?
• If using a robot, is cheaper than low labor costs in other countries, why do you think we are not automating more of our installations and manufacturing?
• Do you think that we will see a steady growth of solar panels installations in the next five years? Why or why not?