A major $171 million solar manufacturing facility is set to be constructed at Black Hill in the Hunter Valley, promising to create more than 100 permanent jobs and position the region at the forefront of Australia's clean energy future.
Investment and Jobs for the Hunter
The project, known as the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry, is backed by significant government funding. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will contribute $151 million, with an additional $20 million coming from the NSW government's Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative. This investment is part of the federal government's broader $1 billion Solar Sunshot program.
Once operational, the plant is expected to support over 100 ongoing full-time positions, with around 200 jobs created during the construction phase. The facility will be located within the Hunter Business Park at Black Hill, near Maitland.
Innovative Technology for Local and Export Markets
The factory will manufacture advanced solar panels developed by the Chinese Sunman Group. The company's flagship product is the enhanced Architecture Ready Composite (eArc) module, a revolutionary panel that is 70 per cent lighter than traditional glass solar modules.
This lightweight design allows the panels to be installed on curved surfaces, opening new applications for solar power on structures like warehouses, industrial rooftops, trains, and boats. Examples of this technology are already in use, including an installation at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.
The plant aims for an initial production capacity of 500 megawatts per year, serving both domestic and international markets. In time, the project also plans to produce glass solar modules using local materials and suppliers.
Timeline and Broader Impact
Subject to development approvals, construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2026. Initial production is targeted for the second half of 2027, with operations scaling up over several years as new manufacturing lines come online.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said the project turns Australian innovation into industrial strength. "We're helping turn Australian innovation into industrial strength - creating good local jobs, strengthening our supply chains and building a Future Made in Australia," Mr Bowen stated.
The technology behind the eArc panels was invented by Dr Zhengrong Shi, founder of Sunman and a University of NSW alumnus renowned for commercialising Australian solar technology globally. Dr Shi expressed pride in establishing the foundry, which will become the largest solar photovoltaic module manufacturer in Australia and the only one in NSW.
To support the local workforce, an advanced manufacturing training program is being explored with TAFE NSW, alongside a First Nations recruitment and scholarship strategy.
NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, highlighted the regional benefits, stating the investment supports the local workforce and ensures clean energy technologies are "made here in NSW." ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the project advances Solar Sunshot's mission to build domestic manufacturing capability and resilient supply chains critical for Australia's emissions reduction goals.
