SunDrive Solar enters joint venture to boost solar manufacturing

Australian solar PV company SunDrive Solar has announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a joint venture with international solar manufacturer Trina Solar.

The joint venture aims to establish cutting-edge solar manufacturing capabilities in Australia, to strengthen the nation’s energy security, contribute to renewable energy goals and position Australia as a global leader in solar technology, according to the company.

SunDrive says that through the joint venture it is committed to getting Australian-made solar panels on the roofs of Australian homes and businesses, contributing to the country’s goal of becoming a green energy superpower and a future made in Australia.

With SunDrive’s leading solar technology innovation and Trina Solar’s global manufacturing expertise and state-of-the-art n-type technology, the collaboration should enhance Australia’s ability to competitively produce high-quality solar products locally.

The MOU outlines the priorities for the collaboration as:

• Creating high-quality jobs: Creating over 300 skilled jobs of the future, ensuring the nation attracts and retains world-leading talent.
• Strengthening Australia’s energy security: Building a robust and diverse local supply chain for solar products.
• Growing the Australian solar market: To increase the share of Australian-made solar modules, combining innovative technology to compete both locally and regionally.
• Deploying advanced technology: To help Australia maintain its world-leading solar technology development advantage by integrating Australian technology solutions along the solar value chain.
   

SunDrive will lead an application for funding under ARENA’s Solar Sunshot program, which is crucial to advancing the joint venture’s solar module production and advancing feasibility studies for further extending the solar manufacturing value chain at the AGL Hunter Energy Hub site. Production capacity and timing is subject to the successful outcome of this program.

“This collaboration with Trina Solar, one of the world’s largest and most respected manufacturers, is a testament to SunDrive’s position as a world leader in solar innovation. This collaboration demonstrates SunDrive and Trinasolar’s mutual belief that Australia’s engine of solar innovation can drive a global solar manufacturing powerhouse, producing the future of clean energy from right here at home,” said SunDrive CEO Natalie Malligan.

“Australia’s innovation in solar is renowned,” said Edison Zhou, Head of Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands at Trina Solar Asia Pacific. “Trina Solar has a long history in the Australian market and we’re excited to collaborate with SunDrive to bring world-class solar manufacturing to the region.”

Image credit: SunDrive Solar.