Listen, we’re not going to lie. We get absolutely geeked out about robotic mowers. It’s a robot. That mows your lawn. And does a great job.

That is like the kind of cool stuff from Back to the Future Part II (the best Back to the Future movie…yes, we said it and are prepared to defend it.)

So when an awesome new technology comes along that makes the automated mower industry even more badass, we get especially fired up. When we saw a new Powershed solar powered charging station for robotic mowers, we got extremely excited. We got almost as excited as when we broke through the queue and got those Taylor Swift tickets. Almost.

Below, we detail everything you need to know about yet another innovation that proves why the robotic mowing industry is disrupting lawn care. Here we discuss some of the many benefits of robotic mowing and how this solar powered charging station can enhance them.

What is Powershed?

The bottom of the Powershed actually looks pretty straightforward. The base is a simple 3D rectangle. Into that base is cut a smaller rectangular hole, which stretches from the ground to about halfway up the base. In many ways, the bottom of the Powershed looks like an ordinary dog house, minus the slobber stains and piles of poop.

The similarities to a doghouse end when you get to the roof, which is made out of a large solar panel. They also end when you look inside the rectangular opening. Inside that opening, you will find a sensor sticking out.

See, the Powershed is a completely autonomous storage area for a robotic mower. The mower goes into the opening and connects to the power source to charge. (This fact that this is under a roof helps keep your robotic mower safe from the elements.)

As you might imagine, the charging happens because of solar energy, using the panel on the roof. Thus, the Powershed makes robot mowers even better for the environment than those that rely on electricity.

When the mower is done charging and the grass needs a trim, the autonomous machine emerges and gets to work. Even at night, the mower can run, if you want it to, because the solar panel is able to store energy. However, if you don’t want your mower running at that time, you can monitor and control the robot using a web-based platform.

The Powershed and it’s solar powered charging station technology is available because the University of Tennessee Research Foundation joined forces with the company Solar Alliance. 

Who uses Powershed?

Right now, Powershed isn’t very practical for the average homeowner’s lawn. The solar panel is simply too large and too heavy at this point. However, that could change in the near future.

Instead, Powershed is currently being used on larger commercial properties. Having a ton of acreage, both businesses and government agencies have been majorly successful using the Powershed.  

You might think that the Powershed makes more sense in southern climates, but it has proven successful in all regions of the US. Sure, the unit currently producing the most kWh annually (1,481 kWh) is in Florida. However, a unit in Michigan is producing 1,142 kWh annually, which is plenty of power for a mower that doesn’t have to run nearly as many months of the year.

So who uses Powershed? Basically, any institution that wants all of the advantages listed below.

Benefits of using automated mowers with the Powershed

In many ways, the advantage of using the Powershed for your automated mower is that it puts all the benefits of robotic mowing on steroids. (And we mean that in the good way. Think Popeye with his spinach, not Barry Bonds.) Below, we’ve listed just some of the many benefits of robotic mowing and, for many of those benefits, we explained how the Powershed enhances them.

–Slashing Costs: Robotic mowers lead to huge savings over traditional machines. You don’t have to buy fuel, and you will have less maintenance cost. If you are the owner of a lawn care business, you also don’t have to pay for labor, as the machines operate autonomously.

With the Powershed, your savings rise even higher. You do not have to pay for electricity, you can simply harvest the energy of the sun with this solar powered charging station for robotic mowers.

–Improving Efficiency: Let’s give you two choices. In one, you spend a whole day walking behind a lawnmower. In the other, the grass still gets cut, but you get to actually enjoy your day or, if you manage a lawn care business, attend to other parts of your job. Sure, in the first, you can finally finish up War and Peace on audiobook, but let’s be honest: most of us would choose option #2.

Again, this is what a robot mower allows you to do. And with the Powershed, you don’t even have to take a minute to charge up the mower. All that is taken care of for you.

–Reducing the Carbon Footprint: Of course, a huge reason why so many are turning to robotic mowing is to avoid the noxious fumes kicked up by a traditional lawnmower. In fact, many states and countries are banning traditional lawn equipment because it offers some of the worst pollution. Obviously, an electric mower reduces this problem substantially, and one that runs on solar power virtually erases your carbon footprint. 

–Reaching the Challenging Places: One common use of a robotic mower with the Powershed is to get into spots that are not easily accessible. The mower can make its way through tight spaces and ultimately comes back to charge itself. Therefore, you don’t have to try to make your way around with a clunky push mower. Plus, you don’t even have to go set the mower out or go collect it from a challenging location like a steep incline.

–Creating a Better Mowing Experience: This last benefit exists even if you don’t use the Powershed. Research shows that because robotic mowers will mow several times a week (something most humans are loath to do), areas that use robot mowers are healthier. Plus, these machines run almost silently, perfect even for schools, churches, businesses, and apartment complexes. No one’s plans are going to be disrupted by the noise coming from a robotic mower.

We Think It’s Cool, But We’re Not Sure When (Or If) Autmow Will Start Selling The Powershed. 

As much as we wanted to geek about the Powershed and provide some insight into how this solar powered charging station for robotic mowers works, we’re not sure if Autmow is going to start selling it any time soon. Should we? Let us know in the comments! 

Implementing automated mowers for your lawn or lawn care business

If you are interested in a more efficient, more environmentally-friendly way to maintain grassy areas, the choice is clear: robotic mowing. And if you are in charge of a large area that needs mowing, the Powershed is just the life-changing innovation you have been waiting for. Contact the experts at Autmow today, and we promise to help you decide just what the right fit is for your needs—no pushiness from us.

And we likely won’t even sing you any Taylor Swift songs. But no promises there.