5B Maverick order places 70 MW solar build at Aurora on track
1414 Degrees (ASX: 14D) has executed a purchase order for 5B Maverick systems for the approved initial 70 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) development at the Aurora Energy Precinct, covering 42 hectares near Port Augusta, South Australia.
The Company has selected the Australian-designed 5B Maverick as Aurora’s preferred solar deployment system. The systems ordered will be manufactured at 5B’s Adelaide facility and transported to the precinct for installation.
The order moves the Aurora Energy Precinct a step further towards delivery of its initial solar development. Delivery and installation remain subject to final technical and commercial arrangements and project financing.
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Why the Maverick layout matters for capacity
Prefabricated and faster to install
Solar panels, cabling and connections are factory-assembled and tested before transport to site, which reduces on-site assembly work. The prefabricated units unfold for rapid installation.
More solar per hectare
The initial deployment covers 42 hectares within Aurora’s approved 200-hectare solar development footprint. The Company’s assessment indicates the Maverick layout could accommodate more than 300 MW of solar PV capacity across that footprint, subject to detailed design and any required approval variations.
The layout also supports the indicative precinct-wide potential of approximately 2 GW of solar PV capacity outlined in the Company’s 8 September 2026 announcement.
The three capacity figures sit at different levels:
- 70 MW: initial development
- More than 300 MW: assessed potential across the approved 200-hectare footprint
- Approximately 2 GW: indicative precinct-wide potential
A prefabricated solar array is built and tested in a factory, then shipped to site as units that unfold into position. Land-use density matters because a compact layout can fit more megawatts onto each hectare, which reduces the amount of on-site assembly and may allow capacity to be added in stages. The announcement states that the compact layout accommodates more solar capacity per hectare than conventional layouts, and that factory assembly and testing reduce on-site installation work.
Aurora Energy Precinct: the bigger build
Following completion of the acquisition announced on 21 October 2026, 1414 Degrees now holds full ownership of the Aurora Energy Precinct. The approximately 16 km² precinct is located in South Australia’s Upper Spencer Gulf Renewable Energy Zone.
The initial solar development forms part of Aurora’s Stage 1 grid-scale project, alongside the approved BESS (Battery Energy Storage System). The table below summarises the main components described in the announcement.
| Component | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV | **70 MW** initial development across **42 hectares** | Purchase order executed |
| BESS | Approved **140 MW / 280 MWh** | Cleared AEMO’s technical requirements |
| 275 kV connection | Proposed connection | Commercial transmission access negotiations advancing |
| 33 kV connection | Proposed pathway to support earlier data centre development and electric vehicle charging infrastructure | Being progressed |
| Data centre | Proposed development of up to **1 GW** of AI data centre infrastructure | **July 2026** Heads of Agreement with an Australian data centre operator |
The Heads of Agreement relates to a proposed development, and the announcement does not describe it as a binding customer contract.
The July 2026 Heads of Agreement grants an Australian operator exclusivity over an initial 40-hectare parcel, with a 17 MW starter campus possible on the existing 33 kV connection.
Aurora combines large-scale solar generation potential with battery storage and proposed grid connections. The stated aim is to supply firmed renewable power to the National Electricity Market and behind the meter to data centres and other major energy users.
Next steps and management outlook
Executive Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty said the Maverick layout supports staged expansion at the precinct.
Dr Kevin Moriarty, Executive Chairman
“The Maverick layout allows us to accommodate considerably more solar capacity within the available land, supporting staged expansion alongside storage, connection infrastructure and customer demand.”
The Company is progressing the following:
- Power purchase agreements
- Infrastructure partnerships
- Financing for project delivery
The announcement does not disclose the order value, delivery dates, financing terms or any power purchase agreement counterparties.
For investors, the announcement describes a staged build-out, with the initial 70 MW solar development alongside the approved BESS and proposed connections. 1414 Degrees has stated it will update the market on material developments.
Investors exploring how Stage One may be funded can read our detailed coverage of the Aurora partner capital EOI, which sets out the A$350-550 million target, the December 2026 partner selection timeline and the indicative path to 2028/29 operation.
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