Industry update

Industry update

Clean technology innovator 5B has received $14 million in funding from Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to accelerate the automation of its innovative utility scale solar array, 5B Maverick. The funding contributes to a $33.4 million project that will result in a high volume, scalable and predominantly automated manufacturing line at the company’s headquarters in Mascot, Sydney.

Launched in 2017, 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 is also working on a GPS Guided Deployment (GGD) field robotic system to automate the process of deploying the 5B Maverick to improve speed and help ensure reliability and safety.

The funding follows the news last December that the company will acquire IXL Solar’s manufacturing business in Adelaide to accelerate its mission to deploy massive scale, ultra-low cost solar power globally. IXL Solar has been a manufacturing partner of 5B for its 5B Maverick solution since 2018. Twenty manufacturing specialists and staff are expected to join 5B as part of the acquisition and will expand 5B’s presence to include IXL Solar’s facility in Adelaide.