SunDrive Solar and Trinasolar to manufacture solar panels in Australia

China’s Trinasolar is teaming up with Australia’s SunDrive Solar to manufacture solar panels in Australia.

The 2 companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture (JV). The majority Australian-owned JV will aim to establish solar manufacturing capabilities in Australia.

SunDrive will lead an application for funding under the Australian Government’s Solar Sunshot program to help advance the JV’s solar module production. The funding will also support feasibility studies for further extending the solar manufacturing value chain at the AGL Hunter Energy Hub site.

The proposed manufacturing facility is expected to create 400 highly skilled jobs.

Bringing world-class solar manufacturing to the region

SunDrive Solar is an Australian solar technology company. Its copper metallisation technology has the potential to revolutionise solar manufacturing by replacing silver with copper, a more abundant and cost-effective material.

Trinasolar is a global provider of photovoltaic (PV) module and smart energy solutions. To date, the company has delivered more than 225 GW of solar modules worldwide. It has been serving the Australian market since 2009.

‘Australia’s innovation in solar is renowned,’ says Edison Zhou, Head of Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, Trinasolar Asia Pacific. ‘Trinasolar has a long history in the Australian market, and we’re excited to collaborate with SunDrive to bring world-class solar manufacturing to the region.’

Australia’s shining solar powers

Australia is investing in utility-scale solar, onshore and offshore wind projects and working on a growing pipeline of energy storage and transmission projects to grow generation capacity.

The Australian Government’s A$1 billion Solar Sunshot program supports the commercialisation of Australian solar PV innovations and enhances solar PV supply chains in Australia. Two funding rounds with a combined A$550 million are now open for application.