Tindo Solar builds supply chain with Capral deal

Australia’s only manufacturer of solar PV panels is beginning to build its local supply chain through an agreement with aluminium extrusion company Capral Aluminium in preparation for embarking on a project to build a massive new factory.

While Tindo’s plans to increase its output to 1GW per annum are in the development stage, it has seen it seeking domestic suppliers who require large-scale volumes in order to invest in their own Australian manufacturing capabilities.

To date Tindo manufactures solar PV panels using components imported mainly from China – China has a stranglehold on global PV manufacture controlling major supply chains.

Today Tindo ordered its first consignment of aluminium frames from Australian based extruder and distributor of aluminium products, Capral Aluminium.

Should this initial collaboration from an offshore factory be successful, the companies will explore how Capral could supply Tindo from domestic facilities as the panel-maker significantly scales its operations.

This could require the construction of a new Capral facility to meet the new market.

Tindo Solar Chief Executive Officer Richard Petterson said: “We want Australian industry to supply components to our Australian solar panels and Capral Aluminium has joined us in realising this plan.

“The Gigafactory supports the development of Australian companies in the renewables supply chain and this partnership demonstrates what is possible when the government sends clear signals to industry through programmes like Solar Sunshot, which we intend to apply for when the programme opens.

“With short-term support, government can kick-start a solar PV industry which can stand on its own feet and ensure more of the benefits of the renewables transition are enjoyed by Australians.”

Petterson said Tindo produced high quality panels with a low carbon footprint, and Capral Aluminium also prioritised sourcing lower carbon primary aluminium to produce high quality extruded aluminium products.

Capral’s Divisional General Manager of Industrial and Supply Chain Luke Hawkins said: “While the initial supply arrangement will focus on meeting the requirements for Tindo’s current solar panel production, we are excited by the opportunity to support their ambitious plans to develop a gigafactory supplied by Capral using locally extruded aluminium.

“This gigafactory isn’t just a game-changer for Tindo; it will be a milestone for Australia’s manufacturing sector. It demonstrates our capacity to lead in sustainable energy solutions and secure a stronger, more resilient local supply chain.”

Tindo developed the Gigafactory plan in response to Commonwealth and state government calls for more domestic renewables manufacturing, and the company has been engaging with relevant agencies and departments as it progresses its plans, including the Commonwealth’s Sunshot programme.

The $90-100 million Gigafactory facility would create 250 jobs and be capable of producing 7,000 panels per day, equivalent to 1GW of capacity per annum.

It will go some way to meeting the estimated 22,000 panels which will need to be installed each day to meet Australia’s 2030 decarbonisation targets.

Based on its experience at its 150MW factory in Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, Tindo estimates that 1GW is the scale required to catalyse a domestic downstream supply chain, of which Capral is the first.

Petterson said: “Australia needs to build sovereign capability in renewables manufacturing, and to ensure there is more Australian-made content in the clean energy infrastructure as we decarbonise our electricity system.

“We want Tindo’s Gigafactory to be at the heart of this domestic strategy, supplying Australian-made, high-quality solar panels to developers and installers, while sourcing components from local suppliers.”

Further reading:
Tindo Solar plans $100m solar PV panel gigafactory
Tindo Solar reveals solar PV manufacturing – video

Picture: Tindo Solar