Milwaukee Tool solution designed specifically for solar construction offers huge gains in installation efficiency and accuracy — saving 27+ person-hours per MW with Nevados system.
OAKLAND, CA – Sept 10, 2024 — Nevados sought a partnership with Milwaukee Tool that resulted in its becoming the first solar tracker OEM to formally test and qualify Milwaukee’s new M18 FUEL™ Controlled Torque Impact Wrench with TORQUE-SENSE™. Tests on Nevados’ state-of-the-art TRACE™ All Terrain Tracker® found the self-adjusting wrench tightens bolts over three times faster and more accurately.
The two firms will demo the smart tool together in Booth #D24057 at the RE+ conference and trade show in Anaheim, Sept. 9-12, where the new TRACE tracker is also on display.
Nevados kicked off the qualification process with Milwaukee Tool and independent testing firm Eclipse-M at the Nevados proving ground in Davis, California. Results were then replicated this summer in Utah on a full-scale 400+ MW solar project under construction with Nevados trackers.
Eclipse-M’s tests found that the new Milwaukee impact wrench, which incorporates machine learning, saves approximately 27.1 person-hours per MW on the Nevados system versus the current "2-step” method of tightening bolts with an impact wrench and then re-tightening them with a click-style torque wrench. That offers substantial cost savings on labor, while enhancing reliability and repeatability by ensuring that fasteners are torqued to the right specification.
“These products are a real breakthrough for those working in solar construction,” said Yezin Taha, CEO of Nevados. “A key goal for all our work with EPCs and solar developers is to help increase efficiency and simplify construction, while delivering the highest quality installations. From the design of our hardware, to its installation on the jobsite, we are always looking for opportunities to make the customer experience better. As part of that process, we identified a huge opportunity for tools designed to meet their needs. Milwaukee saw the same opportunity and has delivered a great solution. These tools allow for much simpler and faster installation with zero compromise on safety. It’s a win for everyone involved.”
The solar industry faces a challenge with constructability and rising soft costs, Taha said. The 2-step method offers an opportunity for improvements in efficiency, safety, and accuracy to avoid under- or over-torquing. Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL™ Controlled Torque Impact Wrenches with TORQUE-SENSE™ challenges the status quo by eliminating the need for manual torquing. Developed for the unique requirements of the solar jobsite, according to Milwaukee the innovative solution allows for faster installation while continuing to be the industry’s most torque-repeatable impact wrench.
“Installation is a huge challenge for developers and EPCs, so we’ve put a lot of thought into how we can improve that process,” commented Mark Kelly, Group Product Manager at Milwaukee Tool. “We are delighted to have found a very willing partner in Nevados and even more, that the real-world testing and certification we have done together has demonstrated that our M18 FUEL Controlled Torque Impact Wrenches deliver on their promise. We can’t wait for more professionals to get their hands on them and experience the product benefits for themselves.”
“Our testing found the Milwaukee solution to be approximately three to three and a half times faster than traditional torquing methods,” said Bill Poulin of Eclipse-M, who oversaw the tests at both Nevados locations. “Just as impressive is that those speeds have been achieved while being successfully used across 10s of MWs of production with zero reported torque failures during block QA. In our view, they can allow solar installers and EPCs to achieve faster, more reliable installations, contributing to the overall constructability and cost-effectiveness of utility-scale solar projects.”
Taha added, “By offering Milwaukee the chance to demonstrate its new smart wrench on our trackers, we found it delivers on a need we saw for greater efficiency. We’re constantly looking for ways to help our customers, so we’re proud that Milwaukee agreed to make Nevados, with our history of innovation, the first to deploy this revolutionary tool.”
Nevados and Milwaukee Tool are offering solar professionals hands-on demos of the M18 FUEL™ Controlled Torque Impact Wrenches with TORQUE-SENSE™ in Booth #D24057 in Hall D at RE+ in Anaheim.
About Milwaukee Tool
Milwaukee Tool, founded in 1924, is a global leader in delivering innovative solutions to the professional construction trades that increase productivity and safety. Milwaukee® is known for their world-leading M12™, M18™, and MX FUEL™ cordless systems, the ground-breaking performance of their cordless innovations, safety solutions, battery-powered outdoor power equipment, jobsite lighting and clean-up, time-saving accessories, and innovative hand tool and PACKOUT™ Modular Storage products. The company is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced, trade-specific solutions.
Milwaukee Tool is a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY). For more information on the full line of Milwaukee® products, please call 1-800-SAWDUST or visit www.milwaukeetool.com.
About Nevados, Inc.
Nevados is the only solar tracker company that enables the rapid development of PV power plants on challenging terrain economically and without environmental compromise. Nevados offers innovative TRACE All Terrain solar trackers paired with comprehensive software in an integrated platform that optimizes solar performance, improves plant reliability, and respects the natural landscape. Headquartered in Oakland, California and backed by institutional capital, Nevados is transforming utility-scale PV deployment with its market-leading tracking solutions and partnership approach. The company’s mission is to pioneer sustainable solar solutions to preserve the earth for today and for tomorrow. Nevados celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and has sold more than 1.4 GW of trackers. For more information, visit www.nevados.solar.
About Eclipse-M
Eclipse-M is a team of industry veterans dedicated to bringing better results to clients through project planning, careful equipment and technology selection, engineering excellence and particularly lean construction and project execution. With over 80 combined years of experience in the PV industry by the principals, the team is routinely engaged to provide third party assessments, project support, project oversite and lean planning activities. Eclipse-M has been directly engaged in more than 6 GW of projects in various roles. Eclipse-M maintains an independent posture and provides informed analysis and advice, tempered by knowledge and experience.
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