The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed up to AU$151 million in conditional funding for the establishment of a 500 MW per annum solar module manufacturing facility in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
The funding, which is part of the Australian government’s AU$1 billion Solar Sunshot Program, will support the development of the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry project, an initiative of the Sunman Group, founded by University of New South Wales (UNSW) alumnus Dr Zhengrong Shi.
The project will develop a new, advanced manufacturing facility while drawing on Sunman’s pioneering technology.
The proposed Hunter Valley facility aims to manufacture a range of solar PV modules for use in domestic and international markets, including Sunman’s proprietary enhanced Architecture Ready Composite (eArc) modules. The modules will replace traditional glass with durable polymers, making them up to 70 per cent lighter, easier to transport and faster to install.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the project will expand Australia’s role in global clean energy supply chains.
“Solar Sunshot is about building on Australia’s world-leading solar research to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen supply-chain resilience and grow local jobs and skills.
“The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry project reflects these goals, bringing together advanced technology, local workforce development and long-term economic benefits for regional communities.”
The facility will also produce glass modules, develop a solar innovation hub to support the commercialisation of new solar technologies and operate as a solar manufacturing foundry with the ability to provide production capacity to manufacturers.
Dr Shi, Founder of the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry, said: “Once established, the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry will be the largest manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules in Australia, and the only one in NSW, delivering world-leading products to residential, commercial and utility customers around the country.”
Established by the Australian federal government in 2024, the AU$1 billion Solar Sunshot program aims to support innovation in Australia’s solar PV manufacturing industry.