The Hunter Valley will become home to Australia’s largest solar module manufacturing facility, with a total investment of $171 million committed by the Australian and NSW Governments and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry (HVSF), an initiative of Sunman Group led by University of New South Wales alumnus and solar pioneer Dr Zhengrong Shi, will receive up to $151 million in conditional funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) through the $1 billion Solar Sunshot Program, and up to $20 million from the NSW Government’s Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative.
Located in the Hunter Business Park at Black Hill, the Foundry will establish a 500 megawatt per year production facility capable of manufacturing both traditional glass and lightweight, flexible solar products for residential, commercial and utility customers. The plant will also supply custom modules for other manufacturers and technology providers, helping to build a domestic solar supply chain in the region.
Dr Shi said the project represents a long-held ambition to return solar manufacturing to Australian soil. He said the Foundry would be the largest manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules in Australia and the only one in New South Wales, producing world-class products for a growing clean energy market. He added that it will help lay the foundations of a vertically integrated solar supply chain in Australia and play an important role in the country’s energy transition.
Investment and innovation partner
In addition to ARENA and NSW Government funding, the CEFC has committed $34.4 million to Sunman Group, managed by Virescent Ventures, to further develop and deploy its eArc solar panel technology. The lightweight, flexible eArc panels can be used in locations and applications unsuitable for traditional glass modules. The CEFC said its investment is helping Sunman refine production and installation processes, supporting wider adoption of the technology in Australia and overseas.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the Hunter Valley project embodies the intent of the Solar Sunshot Program, which aims to strengthen Australia’s clean energy manufacturing capacity and reduce import dependency. He said the initiative is building on Australia’s long record of solar research to grow local jobs and skills, while supporting regional economic benefits in the Hunter.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said bringing solar manufacturing to the Hunter demonstrates how local innovation can become industrial strength. He said the project would help build a Future Made in Australia by creating good local jobs, strengthening supply chains and ensuring more of the clean energy value chain remains onshore.
Jobs and local benefits
Construction of the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry is expected to begin in mid-2026, subject to approvals, with initial production targeted for the second half of 2027. Around 200 construction jobs are expected during the build phase and up to 100 ongoing positions once operations reach full capacity.
The project will also deliver training and employment pathways for local workers. Sunman Group is working with TAFE NSW to develop an advanced manufacturing training program and is establishing a First Nations recruitment strategy and a scholarship program to support students pursuing renewable energy studies.
NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the Foundry will strengthen regional industries and position the Hunter at the heart of Australia’s clean energy manufacturing future. She said investment in renewable manufacturing will create new opportunities for local workers and ensure more of the clean energy supply chain is based in New South Wales.
NSW Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said supporting solar manufacturing in the Hunter strengthens the state’s industrial base and ensures the energy transition is powered by local innovation and local workers.
Strengthening the Hunter’s clean energy future
The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry will operate as more than a manufacturing facility — it will act as an innovation hub for solar technology, supporting the commercialisation of new research and providing production capacity for other companies.
The initiative builds on the region’s established expertise in energy and advanced manufacturing. By producing Australian-made solar modules at scale, the Foundry will help strengthen supply chain resilience and open new opportunities for local procurement and exports.
Once operational, the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry will be the only solar module manufacturing facility in New South Wales and the largest in Australia — anchoring a new era of clean energy manufacturing in the Hunter.
