This study compares manufacturing costs in China and Australia for current state-of-the-art technology, and explores ways of overcoming cost gaps in each manufacturing stage. It also presents a roadmap for developing a PV manufacturing value chain in Australia over time, along with policy levers which can be used to facilitate it.

Australia's aspirational transition to a renewable energy superpower is heavily reliant on the availability of solar modules, which are predominantly manufactured in China. This dependency on a single external source raises concerns about Australia's control, influence over and opportunity to benefit from the solar supply chain and, therefore, its renewable energy future.

Key recommendations

• Establishing Solar PV Manufacturing as a Strategic Priority Industry for Australia.
• Examining ways to facilitate PV manufacturing workforce development, approvals, permitting, and international partnerships.
• Developing supply-side policy support levers, including concessional finance and production credits.
• Encouraging demand-side policy levers across all levels of government, including government procurement, circular economy drivers and local content incentives.