5B, the modular solar panel pioneer backed by Malcolm Turnbull and Simon Holmes à Court, is weeks away from commissioning new manufacturing capacity that will enable it to make and roll out prefabricated solar arrays 10 to 20 times faster than existing processes, says co-founder and chief executive Chris McGrath.

The increased production capacity offers hope that rates of solar installation can be accelerated, a much-needed advance if Australia and the world are to meet climate ambitions that are at risk as renewable energy installation struggles to keep pace with the retirement of fossil fuel generation.