Government funds are backing an innovative new modular solar power system. 

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $14 million in funding for 5B to accelerate the automation of its utility scale solar array, 5B Maverick.

The 5B Maverick is a modular, prefabricated solar array that can be built and pre-wired in a factory and then deployed rapidly and safely in the field.

5B says it will use the funding to create a high volume, scalable and predominantly automated manufacturing line at its headquarters in Mascot, Sydney.

The company is also working on a GPS Guided Deployment (GGD) field robotic system to automate the process of deploying the Maverick.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller says the funding for 5B will help reduce the cost of solar.

“While solar PV and wind are recognised as the lowest cost form of generation in Australia today, further cost reductions are required to optimise Australia’s transition to renewable electricity and to enable emerging industries such as renewable hydrogen and low emissions metals,” Mr Miller said. 

“5B is an Australian success story at the forefront of solar innovation. Having started in 2013, they are now becoming leaders in locally manufactured ultra low cost solar products that could reshape our solar industry and achieve our important aim of 30 cents per installed watt at utility scale by 2030.”