$11 million government investment into Sundrive Solar Cells
The Federal government granted an $11 million investment to solar technology company SunDrive, creating over 500 jobs in the process.
The project, now being granted a budget of $33.6 million, can upscale the production line of their innovative new solar cells to a commercial level. Allowing 100 jobs to be filled by the end of the year. The investment by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), allows SunDrive to further develop their new technology for rooftop solar panels, changing the current design of PV cell metallisation from silver to copper. This results in a 20-30% decrease in price from previous models.
SunDrive’s “highly efficient solar modules” aims to decrease the cost of electricity for Australian households as the only expenses are the installation of the system and for the maintenance of the solar panels.
Chris Bowen, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, stated “ local clean-energy manufacturing isn’t only good for local jobs, but for energy security too”
As the production lines at SunDrive are increasing, over 500 new jobs will be available at SunDrive’s manufacturing facility in the south of Sydney in Kurnell, beginning with around 100 people to be employed at the facility by the end of the year.
Chris Bowen stated “investments like today’s in SunDrive, and our National Reconstruction Fund – are about making more things here”.
Increasing Australian manufacturing is a key target for the Federal Government to achieve their goal of making Australia a “renewable energy superpower” while creating local jobs and making energy more affordable. This is seen with the government’s commitment of $40 billion to new clean energy industries with a portion of this funding going towards achieving their goal to increase production of ultra low-cost solar.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen further stated “We can drive even more affordable energy into our energy market, and energy markets around the world.”
