Tindo Mawson Lakes Facility Upgrade

Summary

Need

To meet the global emissions reduction goal of net zero by 2050 or sooner, an estimated 80 TW of deployed solar PV will be required, around 300 times more than the current installed PV capacity.

Achieving this in the Australian market will require a significant reduction in the cost of solar projects to drive increased project value and improved competitiveness.

Tindo will scale-up its existing facility and reduce the cost of solar PV module production to increase market demand and to develop local supply chains. The Project will also fund a Feasibility Study for the Recipient’s prospective development of a separate greenfield Gigafactory. The ARENA Funding will drive early sales growth and line efficiency upgrades so that the Recipient may reposition its product offering (before scaling up), expand its addressable market, and maintain its differentiated, premium product offering. The Recipient’s modelling forecasts that the increased volumes, production process efficiencies, increased purchasing power and resultant lower cost of goods sold (COGS) will result in a sustainable business model beyond the End Date.

Action

This Project will be undertaken in the form of two streams as follows:

1. In respect of the Capital Expenditure Grant stream, Tindo will upgrade its existing solar PV module manufacturing line to increase manufacturing capacity and efficiency, and undertake a Feasibility Study for a 1 GW (annualised) greenfield manufacturing facility (Gigafactory).
2. In respect of the Production Credit Grant stream, Tindo will manufacture a minimum of 30 MW of solar photovoltaic modules (annualised) at its existing facility, for which it will be paid the Production Credit Grant, with a target of 686 MW of production, in the aggregate, for the Term of the Agreement.

Outcome

The objectives of the Project will be achieved through the following Outcomes:

1. To support the development of a resilient and integrated solar PV supply chain, by:
   1. Expanding the production capacity of the Recipient’s facility, based at the Mawson Lakes location described in item 5 (Location) of the Project Details, to catalyse future sales to reach a sustainable Australian production capacity; and
   2. Creating a profitable and self-sustaining production line once operating efficiently and at scale.
2. To support the innovation and the use of advanced automation in solar PV module manufacturing and to provide new economic opportunities, by:
   1. Undertaking the Feasibility Study to develop a large scale (approximately 1 GW (annualised)) solar PV module production facility which integrates advanced automation;
   2. Upgrading a manufacturing line to achieve efficiencies in production; and
   3. Fostering relationships with research institutions and startups and providing real-world opportunities to advance automation, panel recycling, and solar efficiency.
3. To reduce barriers to solar PV manufacturing by developing pathways for a sustainable local solar PV manufacturing industry including by demonstrating the demand for Australian-made products.
4. To develop pathways to enable sustainable and competitive solar PV supply chains, having regard to long term economic, social, and environmental sustainability and the Community Benefit Principles, by:
   1. Supporting the Recipient to establish a large-scale, sustainable and competitive solar PV manufacturing business in Australia; and
   2. Increasing employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector, as well as development of training and upskilling opportunities for the local workforce.

Additional impact

This project will deliver additional impact in the following ways:

• Create 50 new local jobs, supporting the growth of the domestic solar industry.
• Bring solar PV supply chains to Australia, strengthening national resilience and control over the future energy system.
• Foster innovation in solar technology through Tindo’s expertise, driving supply chain advancements.
• Strengthen Australia’s research and development capabilities, with Tindo acting as a hub for collaboration with industry partners and universities.

Media

Provided by the Recipient:

Tindo | How we make Australian solar panels (1 minute)

Tindo | Manufacturing Facility Tour (3 minutes)