‘Waiting with bated breath’: Factories sweat on Albanese’s $1b solar splash

Australian solar manufacturing could disappear offshore without government support, as the industry declares expensive local production costs will drive companies to cheaper jurisdictions like China while the US courts local companies to relocate.

“We’ve created innovation and then seen all the value being added offshore,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday. “We’re not going to miss the opportunities this generation.”Australian inverter maker Selectronic has made electrical components in Melbourne for 60 years. Its chief executive Rod Scott said the company may have to send some of its production offshore to remain competitive.

Australian company 5B is building a factory in India, in a deal with engineer Waaree, to make innovative, quick-installation solar panel arrays, while locally listed battery maker Redflow built its factory in Thailand. Electric Vehicle charger maker Tritium shut its Brisbane factory last year.

“There are a lot of innovative companies in battery technology, EV charging in heat pump technology that can power the electrification of Australia but they’re all desperate for a response in the federal budget, and beyond,” said the council’s chief executive Robert Grimes. SunDrive’s technology was spun out of the University of NSW. Its innovative solar cell use copper instead of more expensive silver, which could deliver big savings in manufacturing.

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