Xpanner rolls out X1 Panel Lift for automated solar panel installation
Xpanner Global yesterday introduced the X1 Panel Lift system, a robotic platform designed to automate the lifting and placement of solar panels on utility-scale projects. The system, which repurposes the company’s existing technology used for solar pile-driving, aims to reduce the industry’s reliance on large, skilled crews for repetitive material handling tasks.
According to Xpanner, conventional solar installations require teams of workers to manually carry and position heavy panels across thousands of modules. The X1 Panel Lift takes over that physically demanding work, allowing installation crews to focus on alignment, fastening, and quality inspection.
“Solar installation has long been held back by its dependence on large skilled crews and complex equipment setups,” said Henri Lee, co-founder and CEO of Xpanner. “One machine, one button, one workflow, any operator can run it from Day 1.”
Founded in 2020, Xpanner is a ConTech startup based in Santa Fe Springs, California, with an office in Seoul, South Korea. The company raised $18 million in Series B bridge funding in May, bringing its total funding to $38 million.
Sensor fusion and retrofittable design
The X1 Panel Lift leverages the company’s proprietary Mango controller, which integrates data from lidar, vision, and GNSS sensors to build a live 3D model of the jobsite. This real-time situational awareness enables consistent performance across varying field conditions.
The automation software and sensing stack are designed as a retrofit kit for standard excavators, meaning contractors can use their existing equipment rather than purchasing new machines. Xpanner plans to extend the same architecture to other workflows through software updates, enabling additional automation capabilities without requiring new hardware.
The system is offered under a single subscription that includes the X1 hardware kit, license, Xpanner Connect dashboard, and on-site field operations support.
How the X1 Panel Lift operates in the field
In an interview with The Robot Report, Lee explained that only one operator is needed to run the X1 Panel Lift using a controller from outside the excavator cabin. The operator presses a single button to execute the entire panel lifting and placement process.
Panel bolting to the frame remains a manual task. Under ideal conditions, Lee recommends a three-person crew: one operator and two workers for bolting, with the operator positioned between two adjacent rows to assist with releasing and removing panels from the suction device as needed.
The Mango controller does not require prior mapping of the jobsite. It builds its understanding from customer-provided site information during setup. As installation progresses, panel data is reflected back into the site information in real time, creating a digital twin that gives customers a live record of progress.
Training and safety standards
Lee emphasized that the system is designed for ease of use. Crews typically need only one to two hours of safety and automation operation training to become fully capable. Safety is built into the user interface, which guides operators through tasks.
The X1 Panel Lift is available as a retrofit for any excavator brand, eliminating the need for contractors to be locked into specific equipment models.
Automation-as-a-Service model and ROI
Xpanner describes its business model as “automation as a service” (AaaS), which goes beyond traditional robotics-as-a-service by bundling operation support, maintenance, and data visibility through the Xpanner Connect platform. As the customer base grows, the company plans to scale support through regional field teams and remote diagnostics.
Lee noted that the return on investment stems primarily from labor efficiency. A traditional manual crew runs about 10 people, while the X1 Panel Lift operates with just three. Proof-of-concept data also shows reduced physical strain and injury risk, lower workers’ compensation exposure, and more consistent installation quality that minimizes rework.
Real-time process tracking via the digital twin gives customers daily visibility into installation progress, helping them manage schedules proactively and avoid costly delays.
Differentiation and market focus
Xpanner differentiates itself by designing automation solutions around customers’ existing workflows rather than dropping machines into unchanged processes. The same X1 Kit technology supports pile driving, shakeout, and panel lifting, providing a seamless experience across the installation process, with all data feeding into the Xpanner Connect platform.
The United States remains Xpanner’s primary market, where the X1 Piling system is already deployed on customer sites. The company is conducting proof-of-concept testing for the X1 Panel Lift and is also beginning to explore international expansion through strategic partnerships this year.
The source for this article is https://www.therobotreport.com/xpanner-rolls-out-x1-panel-lift-automated-solar-panel-installation/.