“Sun King” brings large-scale solar panel manufacturing back to Australia
A legend of Australian solar research and development has won more than $150 million in federal Solar Sunshot funding to build a commercial-scale PV panel manufacturing plant in one of the nation’s biggest coal hubs – the New South Wales Hunter Valley.
The federal and NSW governments announced a joint $171 million investment in the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry.
Sunman founder Dr Zhengrong Shi, a UNSW graduate and pioneer of modern solar PV, will lead the project.
Photographed with former directors of the Sydney Theatre Company following the installation of its new solar PV system, Shi has spent the past decade commercialising Sunman’s lightweight, flexible eArc panels.
Sunman already operates large factories in China and the US, but confirmed last year it planned to return manufacturing to Australia.
Solar Sunshot and NSW funding will support a 500 MW-per-year facility producing lightweight and glass modules using local suppliers.
The Foundry will make about 800,000 modules annually, create roughly 300 jobs, and support training programs with TAFE NSW and First Nations groups.
Bowen and ARENA said the project strengthens supply chains, boosts regional jobs and marks a homecoming for Shi’s Australian-led solar innovation.
Shi said the Foundry will be Australia’s largest solar module manufacturer and hopes it will anchor a full domestic solar supply chain.
The project joins broader Solar Sunshot initiatives supporting companies like Tindo Solar and ongoing bids from SunDrive, with further funding rounds still underway.