The first AUD 550 million ($372.2 million) within the Australian federal Solar Sunshot program has been launched to help the event of the home photo voltaic manufacturing business and assist native companies get extra out of the worldwide chain. of PV provide.
From pv journal Australia
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has unveiled the primary section of the AUD 1 billion Solar Sunshot program geared toward selling innovation in PV manufacturing in Australia and making a stronger renewable power provide chain.
ARENA Chief Executive Officer Darren Miller mentioned the Solar Sunshot program presents manufacturing subsidies and grants to Australian companies and goals to uncover and help innovation to drive scale and variety in a important business.
“Solar electrical energy is the inspiration of Australia’s future power provide and the important thing to our internet zero and renewable power superpower ambitions,” he mentioned. “We have to construct on our historical past of innovation and lengthen it to creating your entire photo voltaic provide chain. The demand for photo voltaic wanted to realize our internet zero and renewable power superpower targets is big. and Australia has the chance to construct resilience and unlock long-term financial alternative.
The first AUD 550 million will help the commercialization of Australian PV improvements and enhance the manufacturing of Australian photo voltaic panels.
This will embody AUD 500 million in Round 1A to help photo voltaic panel manufacturing in Australia, with a concentrate on modules, inputs to modules, together with photo voltaic glass and frames, and deployment methods resembling racking. Round 1B will comprise AUD 50 million to fund photo voltaic panel manufacturing research, together with feasibility and engineering research.
Australia’s Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen mentioned the Solar Sunshot program will enable Australia’s expertise, innovation, data, and experience to compete towards worldwide gamers. He famous that solely about 1% of photo voltaic panels put in in Australia are made domestically.
“That’s why bringing photo voltaic manufacturing to our shores is so necessary for unlocking our future as a renewable power superpower and securing the roles of the long run,” he mentioned. “Diverse, safe and resilient provide chains, supported by elevated offshore manufacturing throughout the worth chain, are too necessary to our safety and success to be left in despair. Now is the time to reap the benefits of a few of the finest photo voltaic sources and renewable power experience on the earth.”
Heidi Lee, chief government of unbiased assume tank Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), mentioned the Solar Sunshot initiative marks an necessary step in direction of constructing a robust and sustainable home photo voltaic business, however admits that extra must be executed.
Lee mentioned native incentives inside authorities contracts and schemes have been wanted to make sure demand for Australian-made clear expertise, and to take care of the various advantages of the initiative round our nation. communities.
“China makes a part of the photo voltaic panels that go on roofs in Australia, and we will make these elements and panels in areas just like the Hunter, Latrobe Valley, Illawarra and Central Queensland,” he mentioned. “These are all areas proposed by BZE that may host renewable-powered industrial and manufacturing hubs. These clear industrial hubs are one of the best funding places for brand spanking new services in manufacturing with present infrastructure, transportation logistics and expert staff.
The International Energy Agency estimates 1,300 manufacturing jobs for each GW of photo voltaic PV manufacturing.
Applications for the primary spherical of funding at the moment are being taken with ARENA saying proposals might be assessed towards benefit standards on a case-by-case foundation. Applications for Round 1A are due April 30, 2025. whereas functions for Round 1B will shut on Nov. 12, 2025.
Future rounds of funding underneath the Solar Sunshot program are anticipated to be introduced from mid-2025.
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