ARENA opens a A$250 million Solar Sunshot round for solar balance-of-plant manufacturing
Serguey Asael Shinder1 min readThe Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced on 14 October 2026 that it has launched Round 3 of its Solar Sunshot program, with an envelope of up to A$250 million.
What it funds. Round 3 focuses on the commercial-scale manufacture of solar balance-of-plant and deployment technologies — ARENA lists racking and tracking systems, robotics, advanced automation, prefabrication and other technologies that can cut the cost of building and operating large-scale solar farms. The aim, ARENA says, is to target the equipment, manufacturing processes and deployment technologies that determine how quickly and cheaply solar farms can be built.
Who can apply. The round is open to Australian and international companies seeking to establish, expand or demonstrate relevant manufacturing and product development in Australia. ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the agency wants to hear from companies with commercially mature technologies that can manufacture at scale in Australia, and from projects that build lasting capability and strengthen local supply chains.
Timeline. Expressions of interest open on 2 November 2026; a webinar is scheduled for 26 October. ARENA encourages applicants to contact it early.
Context. Round 3 builds on the first two rounds, which funded projects led by Tindo, 5B and Sunman, and on the recently announced funding for Luminous Robotics and Built Robotics Australia. Solar Sunshot is an A$850 million program announced by the Australian Government in March 2024.
Source: ARENA, "ARENA seeks local and global solar innovators for $250 million solar manufacturing round" — https://arena.gov.au/news/arena-seeks-local-and-global-solar-innovators-for-250-million-solar-manufacturing-round/