New rival for 5B as “world first” prefab solar tracker system arrives to power WA mine

A new rapid deploy solar technology has landed in Australia that claims to offer the world’s first and only prefabricated solar tracker system, to maximise energy yield while also crunching construction time and costs.

UK-based Cambridge Energy says it is debuting its Nomad prefabricated solar trackers in Western Australia, where it has started work on a 2.3MW system to help power Norton Gold Field’s Binduli Operations in Kalgoorlie.

Cambridge says Nomad’s prefabricated and compact design cuts time and costs across procurement and transport enables rapid, low-labour installation.

Its patented design and anchoring system also removes the need for piles and concrete, reducing ground disturbance and carbon footprint.

Commercial and large-scale solar systems that are quick to install, easy to take down and move elsewhere, and less materials- and labor-intensive – ultimately making the cost of generation much cheaper, overall – are in hot demand as businesses and off-grid operators like miners seek to use more renewable energy.

In Australia, NSW-based company 5B has dominated the market with its “Maverick” modular, pre-fabricated and pre-configured solar panel and racking solution.

Its product has attracted financial support from former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull and millionaire climate activist Simon Holmes à Court, as well as global oil & supermajor BP.

In May of last year, 5B claimed a solar “speed record” when two crews of 10 people deployed 22 Mavericks in a single day, ending the day with 1.1MW of solar power capacity.

Earlier this year the company began construction of its Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Line (AMPL), a high-volume, scalable, and mostly automated manufacturing, assembly, and deployment process line that it says will be capable of producing a 50-70kW solar array every 30 minutes with minimal labour.

The Nomad technology, which is manufactured in Spain, seems similar, but adds solar tracking into the bargain – a first, according to Cambridge Energy, and just as easily disassembled and redeployed for future projects, contributing to sustainable practices at the end of mining operations.

And while 5B has the advantage of being Australian owned and based, the Nomad has local ties, too, with founding CEO Tom Miller an expat Queenslander who founded Cambridge Energy while studying at the university of the same name in the UK.

In December of last year, Cambridge Energy Partners merged with its subsidiary Nomad Energy, launching a new brand – Cambridge Energy – and sharper focus on the prefab solar tracking business.

“Cambridge Energy takes pride in setting a new standard for the future of solar energy worldwide,” the company said on LinkedIn on Monday.

“We are looking forward to helping unlock the full potential of solar energy in Australia.”