Australia allocates AUD 250 million for Solar Sunshot program

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched the third round of its Solar Sunshot program, offering up to AUD 250 million in production subsidies and grants. This funding round aims to support technologies that reduce the cost and complexity of utility-scale solar deployment, specifically targeting innovations in solar tracking systems, robotics, advanced automation, and prefabrication.

The program is open to Australian and international companies incorporated in Australia that intend to establish or expand local manufacturing. ARENA is seeking commercially mature technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8 and Commercial Readiness Index (CRI) 3 to facilitate large-scale domestic production.

While previous funding rounds focused on solar cells and modules, this round shifts focus toward cost-cutting construction methods. ARENA officials expressed confidence in Australia’s ability to reach a manufacturing target of 1 gigawatt per year, fostering competition for existing local producers like Tindo Solar and supporting upcoming projects such as the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry.