Solar Sunshot

Grant Description

The Solar Sunshot Program – Round 2, delivered by ARENA under the Federal Government’s $1 billion investment, provides up to $150 million in funding to support the commercialisation and scale-up of Australian solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. This round targets projects advancing module component production, racking, tracking and deployment technologies, with funding ranging from $2 million to $20 million per project. The program aims to strengthen Australia’s solar PV supply chains, reduce reliance on imports, and create secure, skilled jobs in regional and local communities, contributing to net zero targets.

What It Funds

Round 2 funds commercial-scale manufacturing projects at or beyond Technology Readiness Level 8 and Commercial Readiness Index 3. Eligible expenses include capital costs for new or expanded solar PV manufacturing facilities, labour, equipment, procurement, community engagement, knowledge sharing activities, and production-linked credits. Supported technologies include solar glass, framing, junction boxes, racking, tracking, and deployment systems. Excluded activities include solar module and cell manufacture, polysilicon, ingot and wafer production, pilot-scale technologies, solar thermal, recycling, or feasibility studies. Funding is delivered as Capital Grants and/or Production Credits.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must hold an ABN and be incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Projects must primarily take place in Australia and align with program scope. Applications must demonstrate new or expanded solar PV manufacturing capacity, meet TRL 8 and CRI 3 thresholds, and contribute to supply chain resilience. Knowledge sharing is mandatory, and applicants must meet compliance, governance, and financial viability requirements. Both Australian-owned and foreign-owned entities are eligible if incorporated in Australia.