# How AI is modernizing EPCs

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2026-04-30
- Length: 34m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs

## Summary

George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy, explains how the company manages gigawatt-scale solar and storage projects by leveraging operational leverage and AI-driven logistics simulations to overcome labor constraints. He details how SOLV uses proprietary data platforms like Sunscreen to optimize site layouts and equipment movement, aiming to cut build times by 15-20% without proportionally increasing headcount. Hershman identifies supply chain disruptions and logistics orchestration as the primary bottlenecks, arguing that early procurement and strategic material staging are critical to maintaining construction momentum.

## Chapters

- [2:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs#t=167) Introduction: George Hershman and SOLV Energy
- [3:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs#t=185) Market Outlook: Consistent Growth and Load Demand
- [7:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs#t=443) Operational Leverage in Gigawatt-Scale Projects
- [11:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs#t=669) Labor Constraints and the Role of Automation
- [14:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs#t=894) Speed as the Killer App for Robotics
- [19:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs#t=1153) Logistics and Supply Chain as the Rate Limiter
- [23:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs#t=1436) Managing Supply Chain Disruptions and Procurement
- [29:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs#t=1745) AI Simulations for Site Layout and Optimization

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- SOLV Energy (company)
- EnergyHub (company)
- Sunscreen (product)
- Vitals (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Why Solar Deployment Speed Is the Real Climate Bottleneck with Deise Yumi Asami](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-04-02-why-solar-deployment-speed-is-the-real-climate-bottleneck-with-deise-yumi-asami) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [259: Data Centers, Modularity, and Mission Critical Manufacturing featuring Keith Hutchens of BW Design Group](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-10-28-259-data-centers-modularity-and-mission-critical-manufacturing-featuring-keith-h) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Transforming Solar Construction Through Robotics with Deise Yumi Asami](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-17-transforming-solar-construction-through-robotics-with-deise-yumi-asami) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Electronica 24: Peter Gutschi on How AI is Shaping the Future of Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-peter-gutschi-on-how-ai-is-shaping-the-future-of-manufacturing) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Improving Supply Chain Logistics | Pathway's Zuzanna Stamirowska](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-08-11-improving-supply-chain-logistics-pathways-zuzanna-stamirowska) (IoT For All Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-04-30-how-ai-is-modernizing-epcs. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Catalyst.