Funding opportunity of up to $250 million to support the manufacture, development and scale-up of advanced technologies used to construct and operate large-scale solar facilities.
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What is the Solar Sunshot Program (SSP)?
The Solar Sunshot Program (SSP), administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), supports the commercialisation of Australian solar photovoltaic (PV) innovations and strengthens Australia’s solar PV supply chains.
Round 3 provides up to $250 million to support the manufacture, development and scale-up of advanced technologies used to construct and operate large-scale solar facilities.
The round focuses on solar balance-of-plant and deployment technologies, including racking, tracking, robotics, advanced automation and prefabrication.
Projects must centre on commercial-scale manufacturing in Australia, helping reduce deployment costs, improve supply chain resilience and establish lasting domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Solar Sunshot level of support
Funding allocation: Up to $250 million under Round 3.
Funding per project: Generally expected to range from $2 million to $40 million, although ARENA may consider requests outside this range.
Funding types:
- Capital Grants – Funding towards eligible project expenditure, linked to agreed project milestones.
- Production Credits – Payments based on eligible production volumes, available for a maximum of 10 years.
Funding may consist of Capital Grants, Production Credits or a combination of both.
Applicants must demonstrate that ARENA funding is necessary for the project to proceed and that the requested amount represents value for money.
ARENA will seek to provide the minimum funding necessary to enable commercially viable project outcomes.
Solar Sunshot objectives
Round 3 aims to strengthen Australia’s solar PV supply chain by supporting the commercial-scale manufacturing, development and deployment of advanced solar technologies.
The objectives are to:
- Accelerate the manufacture, development and scale-up of advanced solar deployment technologies.
- Build local workforce capability through manufacturing, developing and deploying advanced solar technologies.
- Reduce reliance on global supply chains and support domestic solar PV deployment.
- Support innovative commercial models that reduce solar PV deployment costs.
- Demonstrate the benefits of advanced solar deployment technologies for local communities and the broader solar PV sector.
The round also seeks to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of Australian solar manufacturing through automation, innovation and new commercial approaches.
Projects eligible for Solar Sunshot support
Eligible projects include:
- Commercial-scale manufacturing of solar PV racking and tracking technologies.
- Manufacturing solar PV deployment technologies, including robotics, advanced automation and prefabrication.
- Manufacturing components and technologies that reduce the cost of constructing and operating solar PV facilities.
- Establishing or expanding Australian manufacturing facilities for eligible solar deployment technologies.
- Developing or deploying technologies where these activities directly support commercial-scale manufacturing.
Projects must involve technologies achieving at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8 and Commercial Readiness Index (CRI) 3 when manufacturing commences.
Ineligible projects include:
- Manufacturing solar PV modules and cells.
- Ingots, wafers and polysilicon production.
- Other upstream manufacturing activities relating to ingots, wafers or polysilicon.
- Solar thermal technologies.
- Pilot-scale manufacturing or emerging technology development.
- Solar PV testing facilities.
- Recycling and end-of-life activities.
- Feasibility studies and front-end engineering and design (FEED) work.
Projects must involve commercial-scale manufacturing. Existing facilities may be expanded, but ARENA funding will not support existing production levels.
Other Solar Sunshot important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Solar Sunshot support
To be eligible, organisations must:
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Be an Australian entity incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
- Propose a project that primarily takes place in Australia.
- Meet the Round 3 scope requirements.
- Commit to knowledge sharing and skills transfer consistent with the program objectives.
- Meet ARENA’s applicable compliance and eligibility requirements.
Australian and international companies incorporated in Australia may apply.
Solar Sunshot assessment criteria
Applications are assessed against four equally weighted merit criteria, with consideration given to overall value for money and the need for ARENA funding.
1. Contribution to the Round Objective – 25%
- Reduces reliance on global solar supply chains.
- Supports innovation and advanced automation in solar manufacturing.
- Strengthens Australia’s solar PV supply chain.
- Demonstrates opportunities to reduce solar deployment and operating costs.
- Provides scalable manufacturing approaches with long-term economic, social and environmental benefits.
2. Applicant Capability and Capacity Overview – 25%
- Demonstrates relevant management, technical, commercial and regulatory expertise.
- Provides evidence of successfully delivering comparable projects.
- Demonstrates access to suitable personnel, resources and facilities.
- Establishes appropriate project partnerships and delivery arrangements.
3. Project Design, including Methodology, Risk, Compliance and Community Benefits – 25%
- Provides a clear project design, methodology and delivery schedule.
- Demonstrates progress on land access, approvals and regulatory requirements.
- Identifies project risks and appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Includes suitable procurement, project management and compliance arrangements.
- Demonstrates engagement with local communities, Traditional Owners and other First Nations groups.
- Outlines anticipated community benefits.
4. Financial Viability and Co-Funding Commitment Overview – 25%
- Demonstrates sufficient financial capacity and co-funding commitments.
- Provides a detailed project budget and financial model.
- Establishes why ARENA funding is necessary.
- Demonstrates value for money against project costs and anticipated production.
- Provides evidence of financing arrangements, expected sales and commercial viability.
- Includes an appropriate knowledge-sharing budget.
How do I get the Solar Sunshot?
Applicants must follow ARENA’s two-stage application process.
1. Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Review the Solar Sunshot Program Guidelines and Round 3 Funding Announcement.
- Attend or watch the Round 3 information webinar.
- Contact ARENA to discuss the proposed project before applying.
- Create an account through the ARENANet portal.
- Prepare and submit the required EOI documentation.
- Demonstrate alignment with the eligibility requirements and merit criteria.
2. Full Application
- Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a Full Application.
- Provide detailed project, financial, technical and supporting documentation.
- Address feedback received from ARENA during the EOI stage.
- Demonstrate project readiness, financial viability and expected outcomes.
- Complete the required application through ARENANet.
Round 3 is assessed through an open, merit-based process rather than a ranked competitive assessment.
Information to prepare for the Solar Sunshot application
Applicants should prepare documentation appropriate to the application stage, including:
- Project Plan outlining the proposed manufacturing activity, location, scale and objectives.
- Technical information about the proposed technologies, production facilities and manufacturing processes.
- Financial Model demonstrating project costs, revenue, funding requirements and expected returns.
- Project budget and completed funding sources and uses table.
- Details of project partners, personnel, resources and delivery capabilities.
- Proposed financing arrangements and evidence of co-funding commitments.
- Project delivery schedule, key milestones and commercialisation pathway.
- Information about required land access, approvals and regulatory compliance.
- Identification of project risks and mitigation measures.
- Community engagement and benefit information, including expected employment and local economic benefits.
- Knowledge sharing arrangements and proposed contributions to Australia’s solar PV supply chain.
- Letters of support, Conflict of Interest declaration and other required supporting documents.
Applicants invited to submit a Full Application must provide additional detailed documentation, including a Risk Management Plan and Community Engagement and Benefit Plan.
Applying for the Solar Sunshot
Applications must be submitted online through ARENANet, unless otherwise directed by ARENA.
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Solar Sunshot resources
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