The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced up to A$151 million in conditional funding to establish a major solar module manufacturing facility in the Hunter Valley. This investment, part of the government’s A$1 billion Solar Sunshot Program, will support the development of the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry project, which aims to produce 500 megawatts of solar panels annually.
Once operational, the facility will strengthen Australia’s energy security by reducing reliance on imported solar panels and positioning the country more prominently within global clean energy supply chains.
Key features of the proposed facility include:
- Production of a diverse range of solar PV modules for both domestic and international markets.
- Manufacture of innovative eArc modules from Sunman, which use durable polymers instead of traditional glass. These panels are up to 70% lighter, easier to transport, and faster to install.
- Production of conventional glass modules.
- Establishment of a solar innovation hub to support the commercialization of new solar technologies.
- Operation as a solar manufacturing foundry, offering production capacity to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
[Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency]
