Australian solar technology company 5B has been selected as the first recipient of funding from the Australian Government’s $1 billion Solar Sunshot Program, administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The company will receive up to $46 million to scale up manufacturing of its prefabricated solar deployment system, the ‘Maverick’, in a move aimed at boosting local solar manufacturing and supporting the nation’s renewable energy goals.
The Maverick system uses prewired, prefabricated panels designed to be rapidly deployed, significantly reducing the time, cost, and labour typically required to build solar farms.
The technology is expected to help accelerate the development of large-scale solar projects across Australia, the agency said in a news release.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller described the project as a strong example of Australian-led innovation in the solar sector.
“This project represents the best of homegrown Australian technology and innovation in solar and we are proud to support 5B’s goals of making solar deployment faster, cheaper, safer and more efficient,” Miller said.
“ARENA has a vision of reaching 1 terawatt of installed solar PV in Australia by 2050 to achieve our renewable energy ambitions. Projects like this are what we need to get there.”
Miller said the investment also plays a role in strengthening Australia’s solar supply chain. “Today represents a step towards building Australia’s resilience in the solar value chain as the global demand for renewable energy technologies, products and knowledge intensifies,” he said.
5B CEO David Griffin said the funding would reduce the company’s Australian production costs by 25 per cent and enhance its capacity to serve major energy customers.
“It means we can further strengthen our team, creating opportunities from the factory floor, in our field deployment crews, and specialists working on gigawatts of solar farm designs,” Mr Griffin said.
The Adelaide-based manufacturing facility is expected to produce at least 200 megawatts of Maverick units over the next three years, supporting greater deployment of utility-scale solar projects nationwide.
The funding awarded to 5B comes under Round 1A of the Solar Sunshot Program, which offers $500 million in capital and production-linked funding for solar PV manufacturing innovation.
A further $50 million remains available under Round 1B for feasibility and engineering studies.
Launched by the Federal Government in March 2024, the Solar Sunshot Program is designed to grow and diversify Australia’s solar photovoltaic manufacturing industry by supporting projects that leverage the country’s strengths in research, raw materials, and solar resources.
More information is available at arena.gov.au/funding/solar-sunshot.
