As at November 2026, one company makes residential solar panels in Australia: Tindo Solar, which assembles its Walara panels at Mawson Lakes in Adelaide at about 20 MW a year. Australian made solar panels cost roughly A$2,500 more hardware on a 6.6 kW system than a mainstream import, by our calculation below. Federal Solar Sunshot money aims to lift local output, but the largest new plant is not due before 2029.
Key facts
- As at November 2026, Tindo Solar of Mawson Lakes, South Australia, is described by RenewEconomy as Australia’s only domestic solar module maker.
- In August 2025 the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) awarded Tindo Solar A$34.5 million under the Solar Sunshot Program to lift output from 20 MW to 180 MW a year, and a feasibility study for a plant of up to 1 GW a year was part of the package.
- On 2 December 2025 the federal government announced up to A$151 million in conditional Solar Sunshot funding for the Sunman Group’s 500 MW Hunter Valley Solar Foundry in New South Wales, with operations targeted for 2029.
- Tindo’s Walara G4P panels carry a 25-year product warranty that includes removal and reinstallation within 50 km of a capital city CBD, but the solar cells inside are imported.
- Solar Choice’s November 2026 price index lists Tindo panels at A$0.60 to A$0.70 per watt (hardware only) against A$0.25 to A$0.28 for Jinko and A$0.25 for Trina.
- The Clean Energy Regulator recorded 272,480 small-scale solar installations in 2025, so 20 MW of Tindo output covers about 1% of them (Solar Cobber calculation).
Who makes solar panels in Australia?
Only Tindo Solar makes residential panels in Australia today. Two other projects have federal money but no operating panel line: Sunman’s planned Hunter Valley plant and Tindo’s own gigafactory study.
Tindo was founded in 2011, assembles panels at Mawson Lakes and says it employs around 70 people, according to our Tindo Solar panels review. Its current range is the Walara G4P series: a 440 W panel and a 475 W all-black panel using n-type TOPCon cells. The Clean Energy Regulator’s approved modules list (October 2026 version) includes the Walara G4P models, so they qualify for the small-scale technology certificate (STC) discount explained in our STC guide.
| Maker | Where | Status as at November 2026 | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tindo Solar | Mawson Lakes, South Australia | Operating since 2011; Sunshot-funded expansion | 20 MW a year, target 180 MW a year |
| Sunman Group (Hunter Valley Solar Foundry) | Black Hill, Hunter Valley, New South Wales | Announced 2 December 2025, conditional funding, not built | 500 MW a year planned, operations targeted 2029 |
| Tindo gigafactory | Not announced | Feasibility study funded in August 2025 | Up to 1 GW a year studied |
Table checked November 2026 against RenewEconomy (6 August 2025 and December 2025 reports) and pv-tech (3 December 2025).
What does “Australian made” actually mean on a solar panel?
“Made in Australia” is a legal claim, not a loose one. Under the Australian Consumer Law the ACCC applies a two-part test: the goods must be substantially transformed in Australia, and at least 50 per cent of the cost of production must be incurred here. The ACCC has made businesses drop the claim where the Australian work was mainly packaging or finishing (see its Australian Bush Hat Co case).
For panels, that is why wording matters. SolarQuotes reports that Tindo imports its solar cells and sources Australian-made aluminium frames, while Tindo describes its panels as designed and engineered in Australia and laminated, framed and tested at Mawson Lakes. We could not confirm the cost split, and Solar Cobber does not rule on whether any claim meets the test. Ask a seller exactly what is made here and get it in writing.
How much more do Australian made solar panels cost?
About A$2,500 more in hardware on a 6.6 kW system, using Solar Choice’s November 2026 per-panel figures. Hardware is only part of an installed price, and installation labour, inverter and rebate are the same whichever panel you choose.
Solar Choice’s index lists retail per-watt prices for common panels. We took the mid-point of each range.
Source: Solar Choice, Solar Panel Price Index page, November 2026. Solar Cobber calculation: mid-point of each published range (Tindo A$0.60 to 0.70, REC A$0.63 to 0.70).
View the data as a table
| A$ per watt | |
|---|---|
| REC 400 to 410 W | A$0.665 |
| Tindo 400 to 420 W | A$0.650 |
| SunPower 450 to 455 W | A$0.455 |
| Aiko 470 to 475 W | A$0.310 |
| Jinko 440 to 475 W | A$0.265 |
| Trina 440 W | A$0.250 |
| Seraphim 440 W | A$0.220 |
Tindo and REC sit at the premium end at roughly A$0.65 a watt, about 2.5 times the cheapest mainstream panels.
Solar Cobber calculation: the Australian-made premium on a 6.6 kW system. A 6.6 kW array is 15 panels of 440 W. Premium = (Tindo mid-point A$0.65 minus the rival’s mid-point) multiplied by 6,600 W.
| Compared with | Rival mid-point (A$/W) | Extra hardware cost for Tindo on 6.6 kW |
|---|---|---|
| Seraphim 440 W | 0.220 | A$2,838 |
| Trina 440 W | 0.250 | A$2,640 |
| Jinko 440 to 475 W | 0.265 | A$2,541 |
| Aiko 470 to 475 W | 0.310 | A$2,244 |
| SunPower 450 to 455 W | 0.455 | A$1,287 |
| REC 400 to 410 W | 0.665 | about A$100 less |
The premium over a mainstream import is therefore about A$2,200 to A$2,800, or roughly a third on top of the SolarQuotes typical installed range of A$6,000 to A$9,000 for 6.6 kW (mid-point A$7,500, October 2026). SolarQuotes’ own estimate of A$191 per 440 W Tindo panel (about A$0.43 a watt, November 2025) would put the premium closer to A$1,100 over a Jinko at the Solar Choice figure. The two indexes disagree, so get quotes for both. For installed prices by size, see our solar panel cost guide.
Are Tindo panels better than imported panels?
On paper, no: the specs are mainstream, and the case for Tindo is the warranty and local support. Against other 440 W class panels the efficiency is level.
View the data as a table
| Efficiency at 440 W | |
|---|---|
| Tindo Walara-440G4P | 22.60% |
| Jinko Tiger Neo 54HL4 | 22.53% |
| Trina Vertex S+ NEG9R.28 | 22.00% |
| REC Alpha Pure-RX | 21.10% |
Tindo’s 440 W panel matches Jinko’s and beats the Trina and REC panels at the same power class, but newer 475 W imports reach 23.5% or more.
| Feature | Tindo Walara G4P | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Cell technology | n-type TOPCon, half cells | Most imports now also use TOPCon |
| Efficiency | 22.6% (440 W), 21.9% (475 W black) | Top imports reach 23.5% or more |
| Temperature coefficient | -0.30%/°C | About -0.29%/°C on most imported TOPCon |
| Product warranty | 25 years, including removal and reinstallation within 50 km of a capital city CBD | Most makers do not pay labour |
| Performance warranty | 25 years, 87.4% at year 25 | Many imports offer 30 years |
| Optional extra | A$1,000 Premium Warranty Offer payment on a valid replacement claim, registered within 60 days | Rare |
Specifications from Tindo’s datasheets and warranty documents (2025), as summarised in our full Tindo review. Compare it with other premium panels in our best premium solar panels guide.
An independent Australian clean-energy blogger gives an 11-minute overview of the company in the video below.
What is the Solar Sunshot Program?
Solar Sunshot is the federal program, run by ARENA, that funds Australian solar manufacturing. It launched in March 2024 with an initial A$1 billion, split into rounds: Round 1A offered A$500 million, Round 1B A$50 million, and Round 2 (launched September 2025) A$150 million.
The awards announced so far are modest next to the headline, apart from Sunman.
View the data as a table
| A$ million | |
|---|---|
| Sunman Hunter Valley Solar Foundry | A$151.0m |
| 5B Maverick deployment systems | A$46.0m |
| Tindo Solar expansion | A$34.5m |
| Luminous and Built Robotics (round 2) | A$31.3m |
| Polysilicon feasibility studies (3) | A$11.0m |
Sunman’s conditional A$151 million is more than four times Tindo’s A$34.5 million, but only Tindo’s money is building on an existing panel line.
| Project | Funding | What it builds | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tindo Solar | A$34.5 million, August 2025 | Panel production at Mawson Lakes, 20 to 180 MW a year, plus gigafactory study | Funded |
| Sunman Hunter Valley Solar Foundry | Up to A$151 million federal (conditional) plus A$20 million from NSW | Lightweight flexible panels (sold as eArc), glass modules and modules for other brands, about 800,000 modules a year | Conditional, not built, operations targeted 2029 |
| 5B | Up to A$46 million | Maverick prefabricated solar deployment systems | Funded |
| Stellar PV, Solquartz, Energus | A$4.7 million, A$5 million, A$1.3 million | Feasibility studies for polysilicon, ingot and wafer plants (Queensland, New South Wales) | Studies only |
Table checked November 2026. Sunman’s founder is Dr Zhengrong Shi, who also runs a 1 GW plant in China, so check ownership as well as location if that matters to you.
Two 2026 changes matter. The 2026-27 Budget returned A$300 million from Solar Sunshot and the Battery Breakthrough Initiative combined (pv-tech, May 2026), though the government says committed projects are unaffected. And ARENA opened a A$250 million Round 3 aimed at large-scale solar plants, with expressions of interest from 2 November 2026 (pv magazine, October 2026).
Could Australian factories ever supply the rooftop market?
Not soon. Even Sunman’s planned 500 MW is about 28% of 2025 rooftop demand, and Tindo’s 20 MW today is about 1%.
Solar Cobber calculation. We converted each factory’s annual capacity into 6.6 kW systems (capacity divided by 6.6 kW) and divided by the 272,480 small-scale installations the Clean Energy Regulator recorded in calendar 2025. The 6.6 kW size is our assumption; the average installed size varies, so treat this as scale, not forecast. Commercial and large-scale demand are ignored.
Source: Solar Cobber calculation from RenewEconomy and pv-tech capacity figures; Clean Energy Regulator installation data to 30 September 2026. Capacities: 20 MW, 180 MW, 500 MW, 1,000 MW. Systems: 3,030; 27,273; 75,758; 151,515.
View the data as a table
| Share of 2025 installations | |
|---|---|
| Tindo today | 1.1% |
| Tindo target | 10.0% |
| Sunman plan | 27.8% |
| Tindo 1 GW study | 55.6% |
Even if every announced plant is built, Australian-made panels would be a minority of the rooftop market this decade, and the 1 GW figure is only a study.
Should you buy Australian made solar panels?
Buy Tindo if you value local manufacturing and a labour-inclusive warranty and accept a premium of about A$2,200 to A$2,800 on 6.6 kW. Skip it if lowest cost per watt is the goal, or if you live more than 50 km from a capital city CBD, where labour cover does not apply.
- Best fit: Adelaide and other capital city homes, buyers who want the manufacturer’s claims team nearby, and buyers who see the warranty as insurance against an overseas maker disappearing.
- Less suited: budget systems, large roofs where the premium multiplies, and regional properties outside the labour-cover zone.
- A caution: Tindo’s own installation arm scored 3.1 out of 5 from 22 ProductReview reviews in our Tindo review. The panel and the installer are separate decisions, and our quote comparison guide explains how to judge installers.
Choose the installer first. Our guide to choosing a solar installer and the installer directory are the place to start, including South Australian installers.
What to check on your quote
- The exact panel model and wattage, matched to the Clean Energy Regulator approved modules list.
- Who the warranty claim goes to, and whether removal and reinstallation labour is included at your address.
- What “Australian made” means in writing: where cells, glass, frames and assembly come from.
- The per-watt hardware price against the table above, and a second quote with an imported panel for comparison.
- Panel size and weight on your roof: see our panel efficiency guide and, for end-of-life, panel recycling.
FAQ
Are there any Australian made solar panels?
Yes, one brand: Tindo Solar assembles panels at Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, as at November 2026. RenewEconomy describes it as Australia’s only domestic solar module maker. The cells inside are imported.
Where are Tindo solar panels made?
Tindo panels are laminated, framed and tested at Mawson Lakes in South Australia. Tindo has operated there since 2011. Output was about 20 MW a year before its Solar Sunshot expansion.
How much do Tindo solar panels cost?
Solar Choice lists Tindo at A$0.60 to A$0.70 per watt for panel hardware in November 2026, while SolarQuotes estimated about A$191 per 440 W panel (about A$0.43 a watt) in November 2025. The two sources differ, so compare current quotes. Installed price depends on the whole system.
What is the Solar Sunshot program?
It is a federal ARENA program, launched in March 2024 with an initial A$1 billion, that funds Australian solar manufacturing. Awards so far include A$34.5 million to Tindo Solar and up to A$151 million, conditionally, to Sunman’s Hunter Valley plant. The 2026-27 Budget returned A$300 million across Solar Sunshot and the Battery Breakthrough Initiative.
Who is building a solar panel factory in the Hunter Valley?
The Sunman Group, founded by Dr Zhengrong Shi, plans a 500 MW a year plant at Black Hill. It was announced on 2 December 2025 with conditional federal funding of up to A$151 million and A$20 million from NSW. Operations are targeted for 2029.
Do Australian made panels qualify for the STC rebate?
Yes if the model is on the Clean Energy Regulator approved modules list, which includes the Tindo Walara G4P models as at October 2026. The discount does not depend on where the panel was made. Check the model number on your quote.
Are Australian panels more efficient than imports?
No. Tindo’s Walara-440G4P is rated 22.6%, level with comparable imports, while 475 W imported TOPCon panels now reach 23.5% or more. The advantage is the local warranty, not efficiency.
Is a panel with an Australian brand name made here?
Not necessarily. A brand can be Australian-owned or designed here while the panels are built overseas. The ACCC’s test for “Made in Australia” needs substantial transformation here and at least 50 per cent of production costs incurred here.
Sources
- RenewEconomy: Australia’s only solar module maker wins Sunshot funds (6 August 2025)
- RenewEconomy: Sunshot program backs Sun King (December 2025)
- pv-tech: ARENA commits US$98 million to Sunman’s 500 MW hub (3 December 2025)
- pv-tech: Australia to claw back A$1.3 billion in the 2026-27 Budget (May 2026)
- pv magazine: Solar Sunshot Round 3 now open (15 October 2026)
- TaiyangNews: Australia funds solar robotics manufacturing with A$31.3 million
- Clean Energy Regulator: small-scale installation postcode data, to 30 September 2026
- Clean Energy Regulator: CEC approved PV modules list
- Solar Choice: Solar Panel Price Index, November 2026
- SolarQuotes: solar panel cost, updated 12 October 2026
- SolarQuotes: Tindo Solar panel review
- Tindo Solar: Walara-440G4P datasheet V03
- ACCC: Australian Bush Hat Co corrects country of origin claims
About this guide
Written by the Solar Cobber editorial team from independent desk research checked in November 2026. Solar Cobber is a free directory that may earn referral or advertising fees from installers, and commercial relationships never affect our content. This is general information, not financial advice. Spotted an error? Tell us via /contact.
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