Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 11, Stellar PV, an ingot and wafer manufacturer, is progressing plans to establish a low-emissions solar manufacturing facility in Australia with the support of a AUD 4.7 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The funding will support a feasibility study for a 2 GW polysilicon ingot pulling and wafering plant proposed for the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct near Townsville, Queensland.

Stellar PV CEO Louise Hurll stated that the location was selected strategically due to its proximity to a potential polysilicon production site, which could enable an integrated supply chain from quartz mining to wafer manufacturing. “Additionally, Townsville is located in Queensland, known as our ‘Sunshine State,’ and around us there is abundant solar energy resources, which will be critical for producing solar ingots with a low carbon footprint,” Hurll said.

The funding forms part of the federal government’s AUD 1 billion Solar Sunshot program, aimed at commercializing solar innovations and strengthening domestic solar supply chains. In the recent AUD 45.5 million allocation under Round 1B of the Sunshot program, ARENA distributed AUD 35.5 million to Tindo Solar, while Solquartz, Energus, and Stellar PV shared the remaining AUD 11 million.

Stellar PV’s objective is to produce high-purity silicon ingots and wafers domestically, contributing to a more secure, low-emissions energy future and reinforcing the resilience and diversity of the global solar supply chain. However, the company acknowledges the challenges associated with establishing such a facility in a market where these operations are more common in Asia.

“As the first project of its kind in Australia, one of the key challenges is the longer timeline and complexity involved in getting such facilities fully commissioned compared to established operations in Asia,” Hurll noted. “However, we are fortunate to have several team members with decades of experience which positions us well to overcome these challenges.”

The proposed Townsville facility will utilize the Czochralski (CZ) method to produce silicon ingots, followed by a wire sawing process to convert the ingots into wafers. “The Czochralski (CZ) method is the most widely used and advanced technology globally for producing high-purity silicon ingots for solar cells,” Hurll explained. “It enables excellent crystal quality and uniformity, translating into better performance and is why it is our preferred method.”

The feasibility study will examine technical and economic viability, environmental considerations, engineering design, workforce strategies, and community engagement. It is expected to support the development of a commercially viable and sustainable domestic ingot and wafer production capability.

“We are delighted to have the support of ARENA through this $4.7 million feasibility study grant. It is a strong signal of confidence in the role domestic manufacturing can play in advancing Australia’s renewable energy ambitions,” said Hurll.