Darren Miller

“Playing catch-up:” Sunshot targets cheaper construction in quest for ultra-low cost solar

Arena opens a third Solar Sunshot round aimed at cutting utility-scale solar construction costs, while recapping grants already handed to 5B, Tindo Solar, Solquartz, Stellar PV, Luminous Robotics and Built Robotics' local subsidiary.

Also ARENA·ARENA·RenewEconomy·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing·@AuManufacturing·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·@AuManufacturing·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

Australian-made solar robots move towards commercial scale with $32.3 million in ARENA funding

The renewable energy agency is backing two companies with grants totalling $32.3 million to manufacture robots that build solar farms, with production hubs planned for Melbourne and Brisbane.

Also Mirage News·RenewEconomy·Dealroom·RenewEconomy

ARENA backs Lightspeed project to accelerate innovation in large-scale solar

The renewable energy agency grants Equans Solar & Storage $25 million for Lightspeed, a three-year program trialling up to ten technologies to cut the cost of building and running large-scale solar farms.

ARENA Funds 1,000-Home Electrification in Canberra

ARENA is putting $8.2 million toward Electric Future's Go Electric pilot, which will trial a one-stop digital platform helping as many as 1,000 Canberra households move from gas to electric appliances.

ARENA-backed accelerator selects 'hardware' climate tech startups

EnergyLab unveils ten hardware-focused climate tech startups joining its 2026 Climate Solutions Accelerator, supported by $1.64 million from ARENA; alumni Infravision, Renewable Metals, Orkestra and Amber later received ARENA funding.

“Every tool in the kit:” From kerbside EV charging to microgrid building, 10 companies line up for funding, incubation

EnergyLab names ten hardware-focused climate tech companies joining its 2026 Climate Solutions Accelerator, which pairs seed investment with a six-month program. Several hold government grants, and Catch Power's 2024 purchase of Solar Analytics is recalled.

Also RenewEconomy

Australia moves closer to ultra low-cost solar future

ARENA's white paper update finds ultra low-cost solar is achievable but delivery speed and scale of big projects is now the main risk, highlighting supported work by 5B, Built Robotics, Nextpower and Luminous Robotics.

ARENA backs forestry byproducts-to-aviation fuel project

ARENA has conditionally awarded HAMR Energy $32 million toward engineering design for a plant turning forestry residues in Victoria and South Australia into methanol-based jet fuel and other low-carbon products.

Also Dealroom·Startup Daily

Green hydrogen hopes lift as “headstart” project reaches crucial financial milestone

Orica will proceed with its Hunter Valley green hydrogen plant after a final investment decision, the first under Hydrogen Headstart; earlier government grants to it and CIP's Murchison are recalled.

Green hydrogen hopes lift as “headstart” project reaches crucial financial milestone

Orica has reached a final investment decision for its Hunter Valley green hydrogen and ammonia project, confirming government grant support, while other planned Australian hydrogen projects advance slowly or have been abandoned.

Also RenewEconomy

ARENA backs next-generation battery technology to boost EV performance

ARENA announced funding of up to $45 million for Sicona Battery Technologies to build a commercial-scale plant for its silicon-carbon anode material in the Illawarra.

Also Dealroom·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

ARENA expands Amber project to accelerate vehicle-to-grid rollout in Australia

The renewable energy agency commits a further $13.6 million grant to Amber Electric's vehicle-to-grid trial, lifting participation to 1,000 households, with carmaker BYD joining to work on charging standards.

Also Dealroom·Startup Daily·Business News Australia

“Island-able” solar-battery microgrid wins funding to keep lights on in town at the end of the line

ARENA grants $3 million to EDP Renewables Australia for a community microgrid combining solar and storage in Braidwood, NSW, meant to keep the bushfire-prone town supplied when the grid fails.

ARENA powers up apartments EV charging startup with $1.51 million

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has granted EV charging startup ReadySteadyPlug $1.51 million toward a $3.49 million project installing as many as 428 charge points for apartment and strata residents.

ARENA backs First Nations‑led microgrids to improve power reliability in remote NT communities

ARENA is providing $11 million for two remote Northern Territory microgrid projects, at Borroloola and Ltyentye Apurte, co-developed with First Nations community organisations.

Also RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

Australian battery innovation gets boost with ARENA funding

ARENA's Battery Breakthrough Initiative backs its first two recipients: PowerPlus Energy gains $2.32 million to expand Victorian pack assembly, while Firebird Metals receives $2 million toward a Perth battery-materials plant.

Next generation battery manufacturing gets funding boost

ARENA awards Li-S Energy $7.86 million to advance lithium-sulfur battery production studies toward a proposed large-scale cell facility.

Also RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

ARENA backs low emissions lithium refining in WA

ARENA is giving PLS Group up to $38.1 million for a West Australian lithium processing demonstration plant that will trial Calix's electric-kiln technology to cut calcination emissions.

Australian battery storage manufacturer secures $2.3 million grant from ARENA to scale up capacity

PowerPlus Energy, a Victorian battery maker, has received a government grant to help automate and expand its local production capacity.

Also RenewEconomy·Dealroom

Backing innovation in industrial decarbonisation

ARENA is granting MGA Thermal as much as $3.25 million to conduct engineering design studies advancing its heat-storage blocks toward commercial deployment with industrial customers decarbonising process heat.

Also RenewEconomy

Industrial decarbonisation gets $13 million boost

ARENA grants five industrial decarbonisation projects a combined $13 million, spanning brewery electrification, low-carbon laundry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, aluminium extrusion and biochar production, as a new round of its transformation stream opens.

Also RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

ARENA backs Calix with $44.9M to fire up green steel future

Australia's renewable energy agency is funding Calix's ZESTY demonstration plant with $44.9m, targeting low-hydrogen conversion of iron ore into low-carbon iron for greener steelmaking.

Also @AuManufacturing·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

Decarbonising Australian manufacturing

ARENA grants more than $12 million to McCain Foods, Sugar Australia and Blackmores for projects replacing gas-fired heat with electric systems at their Victorian plants.

Also RenewEconomy

Fast charging for iron ore mining

ARENA grants Fortescue $10m toward 6 MW chargers for its big battery mining trucks, to be trialled at Hazelmere and Christmas Creek, with the project finishing in late 2025.

Also RenewEconomy

LUMI robots ScaleUp solar deployment with advanced automation

ARENA awarded Luminous $4.9 million under its Solar ScaleUp Challenge to deploy its LUMI robot fleet at two Australian solar farms operated by Neoen and Engie.

Also RenewEconomy

ARENA funds breakthrough battery cathode technology project

ARENA commits $30m as a conditional grant so VSPC, a Livium subsidiary, can build a demonstration plant making battery cathode powder near Brisbane.

Also RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

Australian homes get Vehicle-to-Grid ready

ARENA's media release marks a milestone in its funded project with Amber Electric: the first vehicle-to-grid charger installed in an Australian home, which the agency frames as transformative for the power system.

First of its kind charging solution for heavy mining vehicles

ARENA has awarded BluVein a $9m grant to trial its dynamic charging system for heavy electric mining trucks, aiming to cut diesel use in mining; the program's next round opens late 2025.

ARENA investment helps freight shift from diesel to electric trucks

Government agency ARENA has awarded NewVolt funding of up to $25.3 million for truck charging hubs across Melbourne, backing fleet electrification under its Driving the Nation Program.

Flexible services to roll out in Victoria

ARENA awards United Energy $3.54 million toward an $8 million Victorian trial of demand flexibility, covering hot-water control and dynamic solar export limits across three distribution networks, finishing in 2026.

Also RenewEconomy

Company behind Australia's largest thermal storage project wins Arena funding

MGA Thermal, a NSW-based thermal energy storage developer, has received a $3.25 million grant from ARENA to fund engineering design studies aimed at commercialising its block-based heat storage technology for industrial use.

Also RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

ARENA invests $21 million to accelerate Australia’s electric vehicle transition

ARENA announces grants for three electric-vehicle charging projects, with Flow Power the largest recipient, and reports grant recipient Zenobē has opened a Sydney depot for charging electric trucks.

Sunshot program backs “Sun King” to bring large-scale solar panel manufacturing back to Australia

Sunman Group wins $171 million in federal and NSW funding for a Hunter Valley solar panel factory; earlier grants to Tindo Solar, Stellar PV, Solquartz and SunDrive are also recalled.

A big boost for domestic solar manufacturing

ARENA announces a conditional grant of as much as $151m for Sunman Group to build a large solar module factory in NSW, under the federal government's Solar Sunshot program.

Also RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

ARENA commits $25.3 million to continue SunDrive's copper solar cell breakthrough

The renewable energy agency will grant SunDrive up to $25.3 million to scale its copper solar cell technology with partners Maxwell and Vistar, adding to $14 million in earlier support.

Also RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·Startup Daily·Startup Daily·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

ARENA announces $45 million for Pilbara Solar Innovation Hub

The renewable energy agency has committed as much as $45m to Fortescue's Pilbara solar testing hub, where demonstration projects with Built Robotics and 5B will trial construction robotics and rapid-deployment solar technology.

Also RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy

Australian-made “world-first” battery with no inverter hits the market, backed by new grant from ARENA

Melbourne battery maker Relectrify has launched its inverter-free AC1 commercial battery, supported by a $25 million ARENA grant and a fresh $2.9 million federal grant to extend the technology into electric vehicles.

Also @AuManufacturing

ARENA backs world first battery storage technology

The renewable energy agency has awarded A$25 million to Melbourne battery firm Relectrify to roll out its inverter-free AC1 storage systems, building on earlier agency funding that helped develop the technology.

Also RenewEconomy·@AuManufacturing

ARENA backs drone-based solar inspection start-up

ARENA is putting as much as $3.96m into Lab 360 Solar, a UNSW spin-out whose drones photograph solar panels in daylight to catch cell-level faults; a fresh $60m solar R&D round is open.

Also @AuManufacturing·RenewEconomy

$12.3 million for Australian first shared truck charging hub

ARENA awards Mondo Power a $12.3 million grant to build and run a shared electric truck charging hub for heavy freight vehicles in Melbourne's west, delivered through the Driving the Nation Program.