Matrix Renewables trials Terabase robotic solar construction at 457MWdc Texas project

Matrix Renewables, the renewable energy platform backed by TPG Rise, is trialling automated solar construction at its 457 MWdc Tormes Solar project in Navarro County, Texas. Working with Terabase Energy and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner SOLV Energy, the company is deploying the next-generation Terafab (V2) system with autonomous rovers for the first time.

The technology is being used on a portion of the project to explore whether AI-driven, around-the-clock construction can work under real-world conditions on a utility-scale site.

How the Terafab system works

Terafab, developed by Berkeley, California-based Terabase Energy, combines an on-site robotic factory, AI-driven automation and quality control, and autonomous and remote-controlled rovers in a coordinated process. According to Matrix Renewables, the system changes how solar modules are assembled, transported and positioned for installation.

At Tormes Solar, AI-driven autonomous rovers deliver assembled PV tables as part of the process. The deployment is intended to assess how standardised processes, the rovers and advanced robotics perform together on an active construction site.

A proof of concept for automated solar construction

The companies describe the deployment as a proof of concept for 24/7 automated solar construction. It aims to evaluate five potential benefits: improved efficiency, faster construction, greater quality consistency, enhanced worker safety and increased cost competitiveness.

“Construction automation remains one of the biggest opportunities to disrupt and improve how utility-scale solar projects are delivered,” said Giora Salita, COO of Matrix Renewables. “At Matrix, innovation and operational excellence go hand in hand. We want to lead the change, not simply follow it. Tormes Solar reflects our commitment to challenging conventional construction methods, testing new technologies under real conditions, and using the insights from this proof of concept to shape the delivery of our future projects.”

Matrix Renewables said the trial would provide operational insights into the performance, integration and scalability of automated construction methods. The company said the findings would help it assess where industrialised processes can deliver the greatest value across its portfolio and inform future construction strategies.

Partners point to industrialisation and project scale

Terabase Energy’s products cover the project lifecycle, including PlantPredict for energy modelling, Construct for construction management, and SCADA and plant controls alongside Terafab. The company is backed by more than $200 million from investors including SoftBank, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Prelude Ventures, Fifth Wall, SJF Ventures and EDP Ventures.

“Every other industry that had to scale learned to industrialize, and energy construction is next,” said Matt Campbell, CEO and Co-Founder of Terabase Energy. “Terafab V2 builds on years of field deployments with an on-site robotic factory and autonomous rovers that turn solar installation into a repeatable, continuous process. Tormes Solar, with partners like Matrix and SOLV, is where we show what physical AI can do at commercial scale, and how it will build the energy infrastructure the terawatt era demands.”

SOLV Energy, which provides engineering, construction and operations services to the power industry, has built more than 500 power plants representing 22 GW of generating capacity since 2008. It also provides operations and maintenance services to 152 operating power plants representing over 23 GW.

“At SOLV, we’re always looking for ways to build smarter while maintaining our commitment to safety, quality and execution. Given that our average project size continues to increase alongside the demand for renewable power, we have been exploring automation across the full lifecycle of our projects,” said George Hershman, CEO, SOLV Energy. “We are uniquely proud of the Tormes Solar project, which provided an early-mover opportunity to explore Terabase and the 24×7 capabilities of their platform. We value our partnership with Matrix and Terabase and look forward to expanding upon our shared vision.”

Investment and Matrix Renewables’ US portfolio

Tormes Solar involves an investment exceeding $750 million and approximately 450 construction jobs. In the United States, Matrix Renewables has 725 MW in operation and a further 457 MW under construction, and its US portfolio exceeds 8.7 GW of projects in operation and development.

Globally, the company’s portfolio comprises 15.5 GW of solar, storage and green hydrogen projects in Europe, the United States and Latin America. It was created and is backed by alternative asset manager TPG and its $37 billion impact-investing platform. Climate Global News has previously reported on Matrix Renewables bringing its 281MW Stillhouse solar project in Texas online.

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