The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $11 million in funding to SunDrive Solar to expand its solar cell metallisation technology from prototype to commercial capacity.
SunDrive has created a cell metallisation technology that uses copper, a metal that is approximately 100 times less expensive and 1000 times more abundant than typically used silver.
According to ARENA, silver currently costs half of converting a silicon wafer into a solar cell, accounting for 25% of the world’s annual industrial silver consumption. Switching to copper could help scale up solar manufacturing and meet net zero commitments.
“To make ultra low-cost solar a reality, it is crucial that our scientists and researchers keep innovating and improving solar cells and module design. SunDrive’s technology that replaces silver with copper is a potential game changer and highlights why now is the time to invest in technologies for our future economic success,” ARENA CEO Darren Miller said.
ARENA also noted that SunDrive’s innovative technology has created the world’s most efficient commercial-sized solar cell. Additionally, it offers environmental benefits as copper is easier to recycle and less carbon-intensive in manufacturing, surpassing silver’s performance.
SunDrive aims to produce advanced solar modules at a 20-30% cheaper installed price than other high-efficiency solar modules by combining these benefits.
SunDrive plans to expedite the development of its copper-plated solar PV technology, aiming for a commercial-scale production capacity of over 100+ MW/yr of metallised cells.
Previously, the company has received $3 million in ARENA funding to showcase its copper metallisation technology to the prototype scale of 1.5 MW annually.
“With ARENA’s continued support, SunDrive, an Australian founded company, has been able to compete with the world’s largest solar PV companies to produce the world’s most efficient commercial size solar cell,” SunDrive Co-founder and CEO Vince Allen said.
Allen stated that to achieve net zero by 2050, advanced solar technologies are needed, as current technology is limited in cost efficiency and material scalability, with silver being the primary energy source. He noted that SunDrive’s breakthrough copper technology can overcome these barriers, unlocking a new generation of solar technology.
“With ARENA’s backing, SunDrive is proud to be at the forefront of Australian solar innovation and demonstrating the immense potential of a domestic advanced solar manufacturing industry to make Australia into a renewable energy manufacturing superpower,” he added.
“It’s exciting to see SunDrive take the next step towards market entry. ARENA has supported the company for a number of years now and we’re delighted to continue our support to see Sundrive become a key player in our emissions reduction aims,” Miller said.
