The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today launched Round 3 of the Solar Sunshot program to support the manufacture and scale-up of technologies that can help make large-scale solar cheaper and faster to build.
With an envelope 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.
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.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said Australia has the opportunity to build the technology and manufacturing capability needed to support the continued expansion of large-scale solar.
“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,” Mr Miller said.
“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.”
“ARENA can help companies establish or expand their operations in Australia and demonstrate the value of their technologies under real-world conditions.”
Round 3 builds on earlier Solar Sunshot program investment in Australian module manufacturing and solar deployment innovation, helping grow Australia’s capability in solar manufacturing, deployment and innovation. Rounds 1 and 2 funded projects led by Tindo, 5B and Sunman, as well as the recently announced funding for Luminous Robotics and Built Robotics Australia.
Round 3 is focused 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.
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.
Visit ARENA’s website to review the Solar Sunshot Round 3 funding opportunity and register for the upcoming webinar on 26 October 2026.
About Solar Sunshot
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is delivering the $850 million Solar Sunshot program to support innovation in Australia’s solar PV manufacturing industry. Solar Sunshot was announced by the Australian Government in March 2024 and aims to uncover and support innovation to drive scale and diversity in a critical industry.
Australia benefits from strong renewable energy potential, high-quality, abundant raw materials and a long track record of excellence in research and development. Solar Sunshot aims to harness these advantages so that Australia can strengthen and diversify its supply chains and create economic opportunities.
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