SunDrive will receive up to $25.3 million in funding from ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) to accelerate the transition of its solar technology from laboratory to commercial scale. This initiative focuses on the development of copper solar cells. The funding will facilitate the creation of industrial tools that replace silver with copper, moving towards more affordable solar more affordable and efficient solar production. and efficient solar production.
Copper solar cells: solution for mass production
ARENA will support SunDrive under its renewable energy program, enabling the company to collaborate with manufacturers Maxwell and Vistar. Together, they will work on the development of a 300 MW production line with copper metallization technology, installed at SunDrive’s facility in Kurnell, New South Wales.
SunDrive’s approach focuses on an alternative to the use of silver, a scarce and expensive metal that has tripled in price over the past three years. The copper technology developed by the company significantly reduces production costs and also improves the performance of solar cells. solar cells..
This breakthrough responds to a critical industry need: to find sustainable solutions for mass production of photovoltaic energy.
Towards global commercialization from Australia
The investment will enable SunDrive to modernize its plant for industrial-level tooling testing, module manufacturing and field feedback to accelerate market acceptance. In addition, the company expects to generate licensing revenues by exporting its technology to international manufacturers.
ARENA has previously backed SunDrive with $14 million, positioning it as an emblematic case of how domestic R&D can be turned into commercial technology with global impact. The institution has already invested more than $388 million in solar projectsThe bank has already invested more than $388 million in solar projects, targeting ultra-affordable solar power for Australia.
Institutional support and vision for the future
ARENA CEO Darren Miller noted that copper offers key technical and economic advantages for global decarbonization, pointing out that SunDrive’s unique process increases the efficiency of solar modules and cells. For her part, the Australian company’s CEO, Natalie Malligan, stressed that this milestone represents the consolidation of an Australian-based innovation strategy with global reach.
With this new phase, the company seeks to turn its patented technology into industrial tools ready to transform the solar industry, a strategic step towards cleaner, cost-effective and scalable manufacturing.
Source and photo: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
