New solar technologies will be tested to cut energy costs and support Australia’s clean energy transition.
Pilbara, Western Australia, 10 November 2025 –The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed $45 million through its Advancing Renewables Program to support a new initiative with Fortescue called the Pilbara Solar Innovation Hub. This first-of-its-kind project will trial new solar technologies designed to lower the cost of renewable energy and accelerate the shift toward cleaner power across Australia.
The Hub will operate across several of Fortescue’s renewable energy sites, including the 190 megawatt Cloudbreak solar farm, which is currently more than one-third complete. Through this innovation hub, Fortescue will select and test technologies that can improve safety, reduce construction time, and lower costs when building large solar farms in remote regions. These technologies include automation systems, new materials, and faster methods for installing solar panels at scale.
Fortescue’s Chief Executive Officer for Metals and Operations, Dino Otranto, said the partnership highlights the company’s commitment to advancing renewable energy infrastructure.
“The Solar Innovation Hub will allow us to trial and refine new technologies that improve safety, speed up delivery and drive down costs – helping us and Australia accelerate the transition to green energy,” he said.
One of the first technologies being tested under the Hub is autonomous piling equipment developed by Built Robotics. At the Cloudbreak site, robotic systems will install more than 1,200 solar piles, aiming to increase installation speed and accuracy while reducing the need for large onsite labour teams in harsh Pilbara conditions.
Fortescue is also working with Australian company 5B to test its Maverick modular solar system. The prefabricated design allows solar panels to be deployed much faster than traditional installation methods. The trial will assess how the system performs in high temperatures and remote landscapes, where efficiency and reliability are critical.
Otranto added that the experience gained from the Solar Innovation Hub will guide future solar developments across Fortescue’s expanding renewable energy portfolio.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the initiative supports ARENA’s vision for ultra low-cost solar, which aims to significantly reduce the cost of large-scale clean energy.
“Solar deployment continues to evolve as we find new ways to reduce costs and adapt to challenging conditions. These advances are helping to lower the cost of energy and support the commercial transition for heavy industry,” Miller said.
The Pilbara Solar Innovation Hub will test up to ten new technologies, with results shared across industry to support broader renewable energy progress in Australia.
