The Hunter has been named in a new round of federal funding aimed at growing Australia’s solar manufacturing capabilities, as part of the first stage of the $1 billion Solar Sunshot program delivered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Energus, a commercial solar specialist with experience in large-scale battery and PV systems, has received $1.3 million for a feasibility study into developing a 50,000 tonne-per-year, low-emissions, solar-grade polysilicon facility at AGL’s proposed Hunter Energy Hub.
The study is one of three supported by $11 million in Sunshot funding to explore domestic production of upstream solar components—polysilicon, ingots and wafers—which are all currently sourced from overseas but are essential for making solar panels.
Australia has the raw materials and expertise to manufacture these components locally. The proposed Hunter project would build on existing renewable-focused planning at the site, which also includes potential solar panel recycling and cable manufacturing facilities.
The Hunter Energy Hub aims to bring together industries involved in clean energy production and reuse, with access to major infrastructure such as the Port of Newcastle.
In addition to the Hunter-based study, $5 million has been awarded to Solquartz for a feasibility study into a solar-grade polysilicon facility near Townsville, and $4.7 million to Stellar PV to investigate a low-emissions ingot and wafer production plant, also in Queensland.
The largest share of the latest Sunshot funding—$34.5 million—has been awarded to Tindo Solar, Australia’s only existing solar panel manufacturer, to expand its Mawson Lakes factory in South Australia. The upgrade will lift its annual output from 20 MW to 180 MW, bring in automated systems, and allow production of newer N-type modules.
The Solar Sunshot initiative is a key part of the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda. The program is being rolled out in stages, with $500 million already allocated for capital and production-linked funding through Round 1A, and $50 million still available for feasibility and engineering studies under Round 1B. Round 2 is expected to open in August.
ARENA is managing the program to help grow local solar manufacturing across the full value chain—starting with materials like polysilicon, through to panel assembly—supporting job creation, domestic capability and supply chain resilience.
