ARENA starts USD-374m funding phase for solar manufacturing

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on Saturday announced the opening of the first phase of the AUD-1-billion (USD 680m/EUR 613m) Solar Sunshot programme, which was unveiled in March to aid the development of a solar manufacturing industry in the country.

Funding Round 1A and 1B, worth a total of AUD 550 million, under the programme are now open to applications. Round 1A seeks to allocate AUD 500 million to support solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing innovation with a focus on modules, inputs to modules and deployment systems. Round 1B has AUD 50 million available for solar PV manufacturing studies, including feasibility and engineering studies. Further rounds are expected to be launched from mid-2025.

“Solar electricity will be the foundation of Australia’s future energy supply and the key to our net zero and renewable energy superpower ambitions,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller.

“We need to build on our history of innovation and extend this into manufacturing across the solar supply chain. The demand for solar required to meet our net zero and renewable energy superpower goals is immense and Australia has the opportunity to build resilience and unlock long-term economic opportunity,” he added.

An information webinar for interested participants will be held in the coming weeks.

(AUD 1 = USD 0.680/EUR 0.613)

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