The TALOS project kicked off by laying down a solid strategic and methodological foundation. A unified structure was created to define use cases for land-based, floating, and agrivoltaic solar systems. These included detailed descriptions, goals, conditions, involved actors, and technical connections. The process was refined through workshops and meetings with pilot owners and stakeholders. A Social Innovation Roadmap (SIR) was co-developed to ensure that user needs were considered throughout the development timeline. System specifications and architecture were mapped out, defining how components interact and setting interoperability standards. Key performance indicators (KPIs) and a monitoring plan were also established to track both technical and social outcomes. A demonstration framework and Open Call challenge definitions were put in place to guide pre-pilot and pilot planning in line with stakeholder expectations.
The TALOS platform was designed as a complete solution—from data ingestion to task management and visualization. Built around early use cases and system requirements, it brings together various data sources, algorithms, and robotic solutions. Two APIs were developed: one for managing pilot site data and another for controlling robots. Modules for data ingestion and governance were also added. For fault detection and recommendations, two AI-driven approaches are being developed using Digital Twins—one based on SCADA historical data and another combining real-world and synthetic fault data. This work has involved signal analysis, machine learning reviews, PV plant modeling, and initial model training. A method for integrating data from different pilot sites is also being finalized.
Robotic solutions for monitoring and operations & maintenance (O&M) have made strong progress. Requirements were defined for robotic systems across all PV types. These include a multi-modal inspection setup with two UAVs, a surface vehicle, a UGV for agricultural monitoring, a solar panel cleaning robot, a vegetation management robot, and a floating PV cleaning platform.
The project also ran a successful Open Call to attract innovative companies. It received 166 applications, far exceeding expectations, and selected 12 beneficiaries (10 SMEs and 2 startups). These companies are now developing their solutions under a Support Programme guided by TALOS partners.
Pilot site planning and logistics have been moving forward steadily. Integration roadmaps were created using pilot specifications and Gantt charts. Regular coordination meetings helped align technology development with pilot site conditions. Open Call beneficiaries included pilot demonstrations in their mentoring plans. Weekly and monthly meetings helped refine requirements and testing logistics. A first end-user feedback questionnaire was created for initial field tests, and a draft training plan is being prepared based on partner input and feedback.
Work has also progressed on evaluating the environmental and socio-economic impact of TALOS technologies using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC). Methodologies were defined, including goal setting and tailored data collection strategies. A System Overview Survey was created for all pilot types. The survey for the floating PV pilot is complete and ready for delivery, while those for land-based and agrivoltaic pilots are still being drafted.
Finally, dissemination efforts are helping boost the visibility and impact of TALOS. This includes publishing project materials, engaging stakeholders online, and participating in key events. The exploitation strategy is focused on turning technical results into market-ready solutions. The Open Call’s strong outreach contributed to its success, and the team is now working closely with partners to coordinate training materials and engage end-users—ensuring effective knowledge transfer and long-term impact.
