Boston-based robotics innovator Luminous has received $4.9 million as the first recipient of ARENA’s $100 million Solar ScaleUp Challenge. The project introduces LUMI, an AI-powered robot designed to automate solar panel installation. LUMI places modules onto racking structures, reducing manual labour, improving safety, and increasing installation speed. The robot has demonstrated cost reductions of up to 6.2% on US solar farms. Its Australian deployment marks the first full fleet rollout of five units globally. Luminous has partnered with Equans to deploy LUMI at Neoen’s 440 MW Culcairn Solar Farm in New South Wales and Engie’s 250 MW Goorambat East project in Victoria. ARENA’s initiative supports Australia’s goal of ultra-low-cost solar, targeting $0.30 per watt installed cost and electricity below $20 per megawatt hour.Earlier this year, ARENA funded Project Jupiter, aimed at integrating distributed energy resources into Western Australia’s grid.