Australian solar panel manufacturer Tindo Solar has unveiled the first link in a domestic supply chain to support a planned six-fold increase in annual production, through a supply agreement with Capral Aluminum.
Tindo Solar has announced a new partnership with Capral Aluminum that will supply extruded frames for Australian-made solar panels, with the potential for new onshore aluminum production to support a proposed AUD 100 million ($67.9 million) gigafactory that will produce 7,000 panels per day can produce.
Tindo Solar’s existing manufacturing facility in Adelaide has an annual capacity of 150 MW, but the company plans to Factory with a capacity of 1 GW in one of the eastern states as it tries to compete in a growing local market dominated by imports.
Tindo Solar has relied on imported components to date, but to support its planned increase in production, it has started looking to domestic suppliers requiring large-scale volumes to invest in their own Australian manufacturing capabilities.
“We want Australian industry to supply components to our Australian solar panels and Capral Aluminum has joined us in delivering this plan,” said Richard Petterson, CEO of Tindo Solar.
Petterson said the new gigafactory, which Tindo Solar aims to have operational in 2025, will be well positioned to support the development of Australian companies in the renewable energy supply chain.
“Australia must build sovereign capacity in renewable energy production, and ensure there is more Australian-made content in the clean energy infrastructure as we decarbonise our electricity system,” he said. “We want Tindo’s gigafactory to be at the heart of this domestic strategy, supplying high-quality Australian-made solar panels to developers and installers, while sourcing components from local suppliers. With Capral’s partnership, we are now on our way to a sustainable energy system from Australia.”
An order has been placed for the first batch of Capral aluminum frames that will be used in Tindo Solar’s 425 w Walara roof panels.
Tindo Solar said that if this first collaboration from an offshore factory is successful, the companies will explore how Capral can supply Tindo Solar from domestic facilities as the panel manufacturer scales up its operations.
Luke Hawkins, managing director of Capral’s industrial and supply chain division, said the deal is a “game-changer” for Australia’s renewable energy manufacturing sector.
“While the initial supply arrangement will focus on meeting the requirements for Tindo’s current solar panel production, we are excited about the opportunity to support their ambitious plans to develop a giant factory supplied by Capral using local extruded aluminum,” he said. “This massive factory is not only a game-changer for Tindo, it will be a milestone for Australia’s manufacturing sector. It demonstrates our ability to lead the way in sustainable energy solutions and secure a stronger, more resilient local supply chain.”
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