ARENA launches third round of Solar Sunshot program

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched its third round of the Solar Sunshot program, which is designed to support the manufacture and scale-up of technologies to facilitate cheaper and faster large-scale solar builds.

With available funding of up to $250 million, Round 3 is open to Australian and international companies seeking to establish, expand or demonstrate relevant manufacturing and product development in Australia.

Related article: Australia to manufacture army of solar-building robots

Round 3 will support the next step for companies who can help achieve ARENA’s ultra low-cost solar ambition for Australia by targeting the equipment, manufacturing processes and deployment technologies that influence how quickly and cost effectively solar farms can be built.

The program’s third round is focussed on the commercial-scale manufacture of solar balance of plant and deployment technologies. These could include racking and tracking systems, robotics, advanced automation, prefabrication and other technologies that can help reduce the cost of constructing and operating large-scale solar farms.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said, “Australia is already a world leader in deploying solar. The next challenge is to reduce the cost and complexity of building projects at much greater scale.

“We want to hear from ambitious Australian and international companies with commercially mature technologies that can manufacture at scale in Australia.

“Round 3 is about more than supporting individual projects. We are looking for projects that can build lasting capability, strengthen local supply chains and share skills and knowledge across the broader solar sector.”

Related article: Equans’ Lightspeed solar project scores ARENA funding

Expressions of interest will open on 2 November 2026 and applicants are encouraged to contact ARENA early to discuss projects with a credible pathway to commercial scale and benefits for Australian capability.

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