Today, on October 14th, Australian PV cell technology startup SunDrive Solar revealed a fresh collaboration with the Chinese solar manufacturer Trina Solar. This partnership involves the creation of a joint venture (JV) aimed at expanding manufacturing prospects in Australia.
According to a company announcement, the joint venture will harness SunDrive’s innovative solar cell technology, which substitutes copper for the conventional silver in solar cell manufacturing. Additionally, the partnership will make use of Trina Solar’s extensive global manufacturing knowledge and n-type technology.
Significantly, the partnership, solidified through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), is geared towards enhancing Australia’s domestic solar PV module manufacturing capacities to compete effectively on both local and global scales.
The joint venture will also strive to establish a domestic supply chain for solar goods and enhance the market presence of Australian-manufactured solar modules.
Vince Allen, the co-founder and chief technology officer of SunDrive Solar, emphasized the role the partnership is anticipated to play in strengthening local solar PV manufacturing and the economic advantages it could deliver to the Australian economy.
“We established SunDrive with the goal of creating and implementing top-tier solar technology in Australia for Australian residences and businesses. By uniting local innovation with expertise, we are expanding the production of Australian-manufactured solar panels to propel Australia’s clean energy transition forward,” stated Allen.
As part of the joint venture, SunDrive will submit an application for funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Solar Sunshot program, designed to stimulate the expansion of Australia’s local module manufacturing sector.
This initiative will contribute to the expansion of the solar manufacturing value chain at the AGL Hunter Energy Hub in New South Wales. The decision on this application will influence both the production capacity and schedule.
Edison Zhou, the head of Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands at Trina Solar Asia-Pacific, emphasized that Australia’s solar innovation is well-known and plays a significant role in strengthening the connection between Trina Solar and the Australian market.
ARENA CEO hopes the trading relationship with China can ‘continue indefinitely’
In recent years, the Australian government has been actively promoting this effort, notably through the Solar Sunshot program. Launched in March 2024, this initiative is overseen by ARENA.
The program was officially inaugurated on August 31 with its inaugural round. Two funding rounds were introduced, with a total of AU$550 million earmarked for distribution. Round 1A, with a budget of AU$500 million, aims to back innovation in solar PV manufacturing, specifically targeting modules, components for modules, and deployment systems.
In an exclusive interview with PV Tech earlier this year, ARENA CEO Darren Miller emphasized that the program is not intended to rival China but rather to offer supplementary assistance to the worldwide energy transition.
“The objective of the program is not to manufacture solar panels significantly cheaper than those from China; such an expectation is simply not feasible. We do not anticipate that we will be entirely self-sufficient in our product supply. We remain optimistic and anticipate that the positive trade relations with China will persist indefinitely,” Miller stated.
The collaboration between SunDrive and Trina Solar exemplifies the enduring strong bonds between the two countries and the mutual assistance they can offer in advancing the global energy transition.
