Australian-made solar shines with Sunman

The CEFC congratulates Sunman Group on receiving funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency for the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry. The CEFC has committed $34.4 million to Sunman Group to develop its eArc technology, which produces lightweight, flexible panels that can be used across a range of applications compared to traditional glass panels. The CEFC commitment, managed by Virescent Ventures, is helping Sunman further develop and deploy the technology behind its eArc solar panels and optimise its installation processes.

HVSF media release

2 December 2025

About the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry

The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry (HVSF) will be a new Australian manufacturing facility producing advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. Once established, it will manufacture a range of solar PV products from traditional glass modules to next-generation lightweight, and flexible modules.

HVSF is an initiative of the Sunman Group (Sunman) founded by solar pioneer and UNSW alumnus Dr Zhengrong Shi and will develop the new advanced manufacturing facility while drawing on Sunman’s pioneering technology and track-record as a lightweight solar innovator.

HVSF is supported by funding from both the Australian Government and the NSW Government, including:

• Up to $151 million in conditional funding from ARENA under the Australian Government’s $1 billion Solar Sunshot program
• Up to $20m from the NSW Government under the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative.

What the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry will deliver

HVSF will establish an up to 500 megawatt (MW) per annum solar module manufacturing facility in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Located in the Hunter Business Park at Black Hill, it will:

• Manufacture traditional glass, lightweight and flexible solar products for residential, commercial and utility customers
• Provide Australian-made solar modules at a commercial scale
• Supply custom modules for other technology providers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
• Support the establishment of a domestic solar supply chain and position Australia to participate in emerging export markets
• Act as a hub to support commercialisation of exciting innovation in solar technology.

Dr Zhengrong Shi, founder of the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry says:

“I am proud to establish the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry and bring commercial-scale renewable manufacturing to Australia. Once established, the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry will be the largest manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules in Australia, and the only one in NSW, delivering world-leading products to residential, commercial and utility customers around the country.

“As a proud Australian and a solar expert trained at the University of NSW, it has been my long-held ambition to establish solar module manufacturing in Australia, and it is my hope that over time the Foundry supports the foundation of a vertically integrated solar supply chain in Australia. This is an important milestone in Australia’s energy transition.”

Why the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry is important

HVSF will strengthen Australia’s ability to produce clean energy technology onshore, reducing reliance on imports and improve Australia’s supply chain resilience. Lightweight modules in particular can help to open new opportunities for industrial and commercial solar.

The initiative will strengthen local advanced manufacturing, create hundreds of local jobs and support Australia’s energy transition.

Local jobs and economic benefits

HVSF is expected to deliver substantial benefits for the Hunter region. This includes:

• Around 200 construction jobs at peak
• Up to 100 ongoing local jobs as the facility scales production
• Local procurement opportunities across construction, operations and the broader supply chain
• A skills pipeline for the region through partnership with an accredited training partner to deliver an advanced manufacturing training program
• A First Nations recruitment strategy and a scholarship program to support students pursuing studies in renewable-energy fields.

How and when it will operate

Construction of the building is expected to begin in mid-2026, subject to development approvals. Initial production is intended to commence in the second half of 2027. Production will scale over several years as new manufacturing lines are commissioned.