5B becomes the first recipient of Australia’s Solar Sunshot Program

Pre-assembled solutions can be relocated to different sites, helping to alleviate concerns about the high costs of decommissioning a PV project. 5B has completed projects in Australia, including a 16.9MW deployment on a waste rock dump in Western Australia and a 1.5MW deployment on a landfill site in New South Wales. The funding received by 5B will lower production costs by 25% in Australia and allow the company to offer more affordable energy solutions to large customers while maintaining safety, speed, and land efficiency. CEO David Griffin highlighted the opportunity to strengthen the team and enhance solar deployment capabilities.

Darren Miller, CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), praised 5B’s projects for supporting Australia’s renewable energy goals. The funding will enable 5B to expand its manufacturing capacity in Adelaide and produce at least 200MW of Maverick units over the next three years to meet the increasing demand for large-scale solar deployment across the country. This marks 5B’s largest order to date and demonstrates its commitment to innovation in the solar industry.

The Solar Sunshot initiative, initiated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in March 2024, aims to boost the production of Australian-made solar PV modules for the global market. Administered by ARENA, the program supports the Ultra Low-Cost Solar (ULCS) concept, which targets 30% solar module efficiency and an installed cost of 30 cents per watt by 2030. The initiative seeks to diversify supply chains, create economic opportunities, and drive down the cost of electricity through the deployment of solar modules.