Wedoany.com Report-Dec.4, The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has awarded conditional funding of up to A$151 million to Sunman Group for the establishment of the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry, a 500 MW-per-year solar module manufacturing facility in New South Wales' Hunter Valley.

Sunman Group will provide the project's modules.

The funding forms part of the A$1 billion Solar Sunshot programme launched in March 2024 to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing capacity. Final approval is subject to the execution of a formal ARENA funding agreement.

Led by Sunman Group and its founder Zhengrong Shi, the project will produce a range of photovoltaic modules for both Australian and international markets. Key products include Sunman's lightweight enhanced architecture-ready composite (eArc) modules, which replace traditional glass with durable polymers for easier transport and installation, as well as conventional glass-based modules.

The facility will also host a solar innovation centre to accelerate commercialisation of new technologies and operate as a contract manufacturing foundry for third-party original equipment manufacturers.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said: "Deployment of solar PVs at scale is central to meeting our long-term emissions goals. Building our manufacturing capabilities will help ensure that our supply chains are resilient and Australian innovations are supported as we accelerate the rollout of solar PV. Solar Sunshot is about building on Australia's world-leading solar research to expand manufacturing capacity, strengthen supply-chain resilience and grow local jobs and skills. The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry project reflects these goals, bringing together advanced technology, local workforce development and long-term economic benefits for regional communities."

Construction of the plant is expected to create up to 200 jobs, with approximately 100 permanent positions once operational.

The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry represents the first major production-scale award under the Solar Sunshot initiative, which allocated an initial A$500 million for manufacturing innovation. A second funding round supporting feasibility studies and additional projects commenced in September 2025.

The project aims to reduce reliance on imported solar modules, enhance supply-chain security, and position Australia as a stronger participant in global clean-energy manufacturing networks.