Sunman Group, a specialist in lightweight solar technologies, has announced the construction of a solar photovoltaic module manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 500 MW in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. The project is backed by a combined funding package from the Australian federal and state governments totalling AUD171mn ($111.92mn).
Project supported by federal and state governments
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed AUD151mn through the federal government’s AUD1bn Solar Sunshot programme. The New South Wales government has added AUD20mn in funding. The plant, named the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry, will be built in Black Hill near Maitland and initially produce 300 MW of solar modules per year, ramping up to 500 MW.
Sunman, which already operates a 1 GW facility in China and is developing a 500 MW plant in the United States, plans to supply both the Australian market and international customers from this new site.
Strengthening domestic solar supply chain
The plant is expected to manufacture various types of solar panels, including Sunman’s proprietary eArc modules, which replace glass with durable polymers. These panels are up to 70% lighter than traditional glass modules, making them suitable for a wider range of applications. In addition to flexible modules, conventional glass panels will also be produced on-site.
The facility will include an innovation hub aimed at supporting the commercialisation of new solar technologies. It will also operate as a manufacturing foundry capable of offering production capacity to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contributing to the growth of Australia’s local supply chain.
Rising competition in the Australian market
Tindo Solar, based in South Australia, is currently the only domestic producer of solar panels. Its existing 20 MW capacity is being scaled up to 180 MW, and the company is exploring the potential for a 1 GW plant. Sunman’s planned 500 MW facility will significantly expand the local manufacturing base.
Construction is expected to create up to 200 jobs, with an additional 100 permanent positions once the plant becomes operational. Separately, Energus, Sunman’s Australian subsidiary, received AUD1.3mn to conduct a feasibility study for a 50,000-tonne-per-year solar-grade polysilicon facility in the region.
