CASE STUDY
5B and AES unfold the power of solar energy

Together with 5B, we’re deploying up to 2X more solar energy 3X faster using 50% less land, making clean energy available in places previously thought impossible. We’re removing the barriers to widespread solar energy adoption, ushering in a new wave of customers to meet their short-term and long-term clean energy goals.

Technologies:

About 5B
 

5B is a solar technology innovator on a mission to transform the world’s energy sources by delivering world-class technology that makes clean energy more competitive and accessible than ever before, and they’re doing this through their flagship MAVERICK technology. 5B’s revolutionary MAVERICK solution re-engineered the solar supply chain from the ground up to deliver solar projects faster and smarter than ever before.

Aerial view of a large solar panel farm in a desert landscape. The solar panels are arranged in a grid pattern on sandy terrain, surrounded by dirt roads. A small white building is visible in the bottom left corner.

Challenges we
solved together

5B was ready to bring MAVERICK to the global scale, but they needed a partner to do it.

Combining AES’ track record of introducing and scaling innovation to advance the future of energy with 5B’s transformative technology and deployment process, we’re empowering customers to meet their energy goals at a pace that was previously impossible.

Aerial view of a large solar farm with multiple rows of solar panels on a flat, sandy terrain. The panels are arranged in a grid pattern, and there are small structures or equipment near the bottom of the image.

Simplest

  • Pre-wired, plug & play modular system shipped to site ready to deploy
  • Minimal site preparations 

Fastest

  • 200 kW+ per team / day
  • 1 MW installed per week, with only 3 people

Smartest

  • Up to 2X more energy per area
  • Streamlined logistics and high shipping density;

Rapid redeployment

  • Portable and re-deployable
  • Zero performance impact

Install anywhere

  • Remote, rural and sites in harsh conditions  
  • Suitable for all ground and soil types, including landfills, with minimal ground penetration and limited to no civil works required.
  • Wind-resistant and already deployed in cyclone areas 
Aerial view of two rows of solar panels installed on a sandy surface. A white vehicle and some equipment are parked nearby, with two people wearing orange safety gear standing beside the vehicle.

Short-term or long-term solutions

Use the energy when you need it, pack it up if operations move or land is needed for redevelopment 

Aerial view of a large solar panel array arranged in a grid pattern on a sandy terrain. The panels are aligned in rows and columns, covering a significant portion of the ground.

Temporary or scalable solutions

Flexibility to scale the system to meet customer needs on a project by project basis or remove a system as demand requires 

Aerial view of a large solar panel farm with rows of solar panels on a sandy terrain.

Hybrid renewable solutions

Integrates with other energy systems, including battery energy storage, wind and more

AES share our vision for a clean energy future. Our Maverick solution is defining the next generation for solar power and the true potential of solar power in terms of how fast, simple, flexible and low cost it should and will be. 5B has delivered the speed and efficiency benefits of our MAVERICK solution in the Australian market, and now AES is bringing its strength to bear as we scale our solution globally.

Chris McGrath,
5B’s Co-founder and CEO
A person wearing an orange safety vest and hard hat stands among rows of solar panels, holding a tablet. The background features a clear blue sky and distant mountains.

Bringing 5B to a global scale

Just like we set out to do, we’re already accelerating the global adoption of 5B’s MAVERICK solution right here at AES.

 

AES Panama will fast-track the delivery of a 2 MW project utilizing the MAVERICK solution, and AES Gener in Chile will deploy 10 MW of MAVERICK technology as a part of the expansion of its Los Andes solar facility in the Atacama Desert in the north of the country

Aerial view of a large solar panel farm on a barren, sandy landscape. Rows of solar panels are aligned in a grid pattern, with several dark rectangular structures at the back. A small road is visible in the top left corner.

Accelerating the future of energy

  • 7/30/20: Partnership Announced
  • 8/10/20: MAV assembly begins at 5B’s factory in Australia for AES Panama solar project
  • 8/27/20: Begin loading MAVs into shipping container
  • 9/9/20: 5B completes first ever international shipment to Panama 
Aerial view of a large solar panel farm in a desert area. The panels are arranged in a grid pattern on a sandy terrain, surrounded by dirt roads. A small white building is visible at the bottom left corner.

Looking to the future

Solar is the most abundant clean energy source in the world. Through our partnership with 5B, now customers can finally tap into solar energy to meet their growing needs in today’s rapidly changing environment.

Aerial view of a large truck stop with multiple parked trucks, a convenience store, and fuel pumps. The area is surrounded by open land with scattered trees and features solar panels in the foreground.

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