ARENA to fund solar manufacturing facility in NSW
Summary
Building our manufacturing capabilities will help ensure that our supply chains are resilient and Australian innovations are supported as we accelerate the rollout of solar PV, Miller said.Solar Sunshot is about building on Australias world-leading solar research to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen supply-chain resilience and grow local jobs and skills. The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry project reflects these goals, bring-ing together advanced technology, local workforce development and long-term economic benefits for regional communities.The proposed facility aims to produce a range of solar PV modules for use in domestic and international markets, including Sunmans proprietary enhanced Architecture Ready Composite (eArc) modules, which replace traditional glass with durable polymers, making them up to 70% lighter, easier to transport and faster to install. To support long-term workforce development, the project will also partner with an accredited training partner to deliver an advanced manufacturing training programme, ensuring local workers can build capability in next-generation solar production.The project further incorporates a First Nations recruitment strategy and a scholarship programme to support students pursuing studies in renewable-energy fields, ensuring the benefits of Solar Sunshot extend across the community.Dr Shi, Founder of the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry, added: I am proud to establish the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry and bring commercial scale renewable manufacturing to Australia. The issue then delves into articles covering crucial topics such as digitalisation in renewables, inspection & maintenance, developments in floating offshore wind, coatings, solar optimisation and more. Contributors include Flotation Energy, DNV, Sarens, NEUMAN & ESSER, Teknos, and more, so this issue is not one to miss!