A comprehensive industry roadmap, backed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has charted a strategic course for the development of domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing in Australia.
Titled ‘Silicon 2 Solar,’ this landmark report was crafted collaboratively by the Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI), Deloitte, and a consortium of industry leaders including The Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), AGL, Aspiradac, Energus, Siemens, SunDrive, Tindo Solar, and 5B.
In particular, the ‘Silicon 2 Solar’ Roadmap outlines a robust framework for establishing a thriving solar manufacturing industry in Australia, encompassing the entire supply chain from raw material processing to module manufacturing.
Each stage in the solar PV supply chain, from polysilicon production to solar cell and module manufacturing, undergoes detailed technoeconomic analysis within the report.
ARENA reported that Australia, a significant player in solar PV research and development (R&D) and a substantial market for solar PV, currently lacks substantial domestic manufacturing capabilities.
The roadmap identifies key challenges in each stage of the supply chain but asserts that Australia possesses the potential to succeed at every level.
With a primary focus on crystalline silicon solar cells, the ARENA said the roadmap positions Australia to manufacture current leading solar PV technology.
Additionally, it highlights the nation’s potential to commercialize emerging solar technologies as they attain technical and commercial maturity.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller underscored the significance of the Roadmap, stating, “Australia has already demonstrated its capacity to manufacture advanced technology in other sectors. Solar PV represents an enormous opportunity to apply our skills to a sector that will play a critical role in Australia’s clean energy economy.”
Miller continued, “A number of Australian companies have already stated their ambitions to develop local manufacturing of solar PV at scale, and ‘Silicon 2 Solar’ illuminates the policy and investment pathway to make these bold plans a reality.”
