An exterior cladding panel assembly for covering an outside surface of a framed building is provided by the invention. A unique rib and batten system with overlapping raised female and male edge ribs on the adjacent installed panels, and raised interior ribs allow through fastening of the panels on the order of 32 inches or wider to the building's underlying framing structure with complete concealment of the fasteners, and without the need for special fastener clips. The ribs have an inverted U-shaped end profile that creates an open cavity between the rib top wall and the underlying framing member. The fastener can be driven through the rib top walls into the framing member without the need for a solid filler cleating strip.