Tindo Solar gets AUD 34.5 million under Solar Sunshot to scale production up from 20 MW to 180 MW annually
These funds will modernize its South Australia-located factory, add n-type panel technology, and explore exports
Tindo will also conduct a feasibility study for its planned Gigafactory, for which it has yet to zero in on a site
ARENA has also awarded AUD 11 million to Solquartz, Energus, and Stellar PV for polysilicon studies
Australia’s Solar Sunshot program has awarded AUD 34.5 million ($22.4 million) to the country’s sole solar module manufacturer, Tindo Solar, to boost its annual production from 20 MW to 180 MW and create 50 new jobs.
The initiative, part of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, also includes AUD 11 million ($7 million) for feasibility studies into local solar component manufacturing.
Tindo Solar will use the proceeds, comprising a Manufacturing Production Credit (MPC) and a Capital Grant, to upgrade its Mawson Lakes factory in South Australia with increased automation. It will expand the product range to include n-type solar panels. While the primary market for its modules will be Australia, export to overseas markets is also on its agenda.
According to ARENA, Australia will require around 80 TW of solar PV by 2050 to achieve its global emissions reduction goal of net zero. This is where Tindo Solar comes into the picture. “As the only homegrown solar module manufacturer, Tindo brings unmatched local expertise to the table,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller. “With deep knowledge of our labour market and manufacturing processes, they’re uniquely placed to help scale up and strengthen our solar PV industry.”
Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, also added, “Tindo’s expansion will help secure local jobs, strengthen solar supply chains, boost our clean energy manufacturing capability and ensure we have a future made right here in South Australia.”
Tindo will also conduct a feasibility study for its Gigafactory plans with the award money (see Australian Solar Manufacturer Announces Expansion).
The Australian manufacturer is scouting for a suitable site for its Gigafactory with potential sites in regional New South Wales (NSW), Queensland, and Victoria. It claims to have secured Letters of Intent (LOI) from potential offtakers.
ARENA has distributed the remaining AUD 11 million amongst the following 3 companies:
AUD 5 million ($3.25 million) to Solquartz for its Townsville Green Polysilicon Feasibility Study into a 100,000 tpa low-emission, solar-grade polysilicon production facility close to Townsville, Queensland. It plans to use the Siemens process as the base case technology choice.
AUD 1.3 million ($0.84 million) to Energus for its Feasibility Study for a 50,000 tpa or 10 GW to 40 GW of low-emissions, solar-grade polysilicon production facility at AGL’s Hunter Energy Hub.
AUD 4.7 million ($3.05 million) to Stellar PV for its Feasibility Study for a 2 GW low-emissions polysilicon ingot pulling and wafering facility close to Townsville, Queensland. The proposed facility will process polysilicon to produce silicon ingots using the Czochralski method .
This AUD 45.5 million award under AUD 1 billion Solar Sunshot program is the 2nd round of funding disclosed by ARENA, following the selection of 5B for the initial AUD 46 million (see 5B Secures First Solar Sunshot Funding In Australia).