Tindo taps local aluminium maker to frame its Australian made solar panels

Australia’s only domestic PV module maker Tindo Solar has signed a deal with Queensland based company Capral Aluminium to provide the metal frames for its panels, with an eye to expanding the deal to support Tindo’s proposed gigafactory.

The Adelaide-based Tindo announced on Tuesday an order for its first consignment of aluminium frames from Capral, Australia’s largest extruder and distributor of aluminium products.

Tindo Solar CEO Richard Petterson says Capral Aluminium’s pioneering of low carbon, high quality extruded aluminium products is a good fit with his company’s own low carbon and local footprint.

“We want Australian industry to supply components to our Australian solar panels and Capral Aluminium has joined us in realising this plan,” Petterson said on Tuesday.

“The gigafactory supports the development of Australian companies in the renewables supply chain and this partnership demonstrates what is possible when the government sends clear signals to industry through programs like Solar Sunshot, which we intend to apply for when the program opens. “

Tindo unveiled plans to build a solar panel “gigafactory” in Australia in January, a challenge it believes it can get done for just $90-100 million and within two years, with the right federal government support.

Petterson said at the time that the proposed factory would make up to 1.9 million panels a year and could be in production by mid-2025, with potential sites in regional New South Wales and Queensland on the company’s radar.

“With short-term support, government can kick-start a solar PV industry which can stand on its own feet and ensure more of the benefits of the renewables transition are enjoyed by Australians.” 

The supply deal with Capral will initially supply frames for Tindo’s 425W ‘Walara’ rooftop panel. If the initial collaboration is a success, the companies will explore how Capral could supply Tindo from domestic facilities as Tindo significantly scales its operations.  

“This gigafactory isn’t just a game-changer for Tindo; it will be a milestone for Australia’s manufacturing sector,” said Capral Aliminium division general manager of industrial and supply chain, Luke Hawkins, on Tuesday.

“It demonstrates our capacity to lead in sustainable energy solutions and secure a stronger, more resilient local supply chain.”

Petterson has said before that the budget for the ambitious Australian solar gigafactory is based on recent experience, after the company opened an expanded 150MW factory in Adelaide in January, 2023.

He says 70 per cent of the cost of a solar panel factory is in construction and land; the trick will be doing a deal on the latter to keep costs in the realm of the initial budget.

“Australia needs to build sovereign capability in renewables manufacturing, and to ensure there is more Australian-made content in the clean energy infrastructure as we decarbonise our electricity system,” he said this week.

“We want Tindo’s Gigafactory to be at the heart of this domestic strategy, supplying Australian-made, high-quality solar panels to developers and installers, while sourcing components from local suppliers. With Capral’s partnership, we are now on the path to an Australian-sourced renewable energy system.”