The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched Round 3 of its Solar Sunshot program, offering funding of up to $250 million to support the manufacturing and commercial-scale deployment of technologies that can reduce the cost and construction time of large-scale solar projects in Australia. The program is open to Australian and international companies seeking to establish, expand or demonstrate manufacturing and product development capabilities in the country.
The latest funding round aims to strengthen Australia’s domestic solar manufacturing industry by supporting technologies, equipment and manufacturing processes that can improve the speed and cost efficiency of utility-scale solar farm construction. The initiative is also intended to develop local supply chains, expand industrial capabilities and encourage knowledge sharing across the solar sector.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said Australia has established itself as a global leader in solar deployment, but reducing the cost and complexity of constructing projects at a much larger scale remains a key challenge. He highlighted the opportunity to develop manufacturing and technology capabilities that can support the country’s continued expansion of large-scale solar power.
Miller said the agency is seeking applications from ambitious Australian and international companies with commercially mature technologies that can be manufactured at scale in Australia. He added that Round 3 is designed to support projects that deliver benefits beyond individual investments by building long-term industrial capabilities, strengthening local supply chains and sharing skills and knowledge across the industry.
The funding will help eligible companies establish or expand their Australian operations and demonstrate their technologies under real-world conditions. ARENA expects these investments to contribute to its ambition of achieving ultra-low-cost solar power in Australia.
Round 3 builds on previous investments under the Solar Sunshot program, which have supported Australian solar module manufacturing and innovations in solar deployment. Earlier funding rounds backed projects led by Tindo, 5B and Sunman. More recently, the program announced funding for Luminous Robotics and Built Robotics Australia, reflecting its focus on developing technologies that can improve solar manufacturing and project delivery.
The third round specifically targets the commercial-scale manufacture of solar balance-of-plant equipment and deployment technologies. Potential areas of support include solar racking and tracking systems, robotics, advanced automation, prefabrication and other solutions that can reduce the costs associated with constructing and operating large-scale solar farms.
Expressions of interest for Round 3 will open on 2 November 2026. ARENA has encouraged interested applicants to engage with the agency early to discuss their proposals, particularly projects demonstrating a credible pathway to commercial-scale manufacturing and measurable benefits for Australian industrial capabilities.
The initiative is expected to attract technology developers and manufacturers seeking to expand their presence in Australia while contributing to more affordable and efficient solar deployment.
