The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Tony Zappia MP, Member for Makin
The Albanese Government is building Australia's future, with $34.5 million in new Solar Sunshot funding to support homegrown solar panel manufacturing in Mawson Lakes, South Australia.
Australia has always been a solar powerhouse - the technology invented here has lit the way for the global energy transformation that is underway. Yet just a fraction of the solar panels we use today are made in Australia - something the Albanese Government is working to fix.
That's why we are investing in companies like Tindo Solar to make more panels here, bolster resilience of energy technology supply chains and create high-quality local jobs.
With support from Solar Sunshot - the Government's $1 billion program to boost solar manufacturing - Tindo Solar will scale up its Adelaide-based production from 20 MW to 180 MW a year. That means more Australian-made panels on rooftops across the country - enough to power around 35,000 homes every year with clean, locally built energy.
This expansion will help create at least 50 new jobs and lay the groundwork for future growth toward a potential Australian solar gigafactory, producing enough panels every year to power almost 200,000 homes.
Tindo Solar is the second company to receive backing from Solar Sunshot, following the $46 million investment in Adelaide-based solar innovator 5B earlier this year.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which administers the Sunshot program, is also supporting feasibility work to help build local capability across the solar supply chain:
- $5 million to Solquartz to explore a 100,000 tonne-per-year low-emissions polysilicon plant near Townsville
- $1.3 million to Energus to investigate polysilicon production at AGL's Hunter Energy Hub
- $4.7 million to Stellar PV for a study into a 2 GW ingot pulling and wafering facility, also near Townsville
The Albanese Government is backing Australian-made solar - not just to meet growing energy needs, but to ensure the clean energy transition creates good jobs and strong industries at home.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:
"When it comes to powering Australia's future, nothing will beat our sun and our solar knowhow. That's why bringing more solar manufacturing to our shores is so critical for unlocking our future as a renewable energy superpower and securing the job of the future.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Member for Makin Tony Zappia:
"This investment is great news for our local community - creating new high-quality jobs here in Mawson Lakes while helping power the country with Australian-made clean energy."
"Tindo Solar has been a proud local success story, and it's fantastic to see the Albanese Government backing its growth through this major funding boost."
"South Australia has led the way on renewable energy, and this project will strengthen our position as a hub for clean energy innovation and advanced manufacturing."
