Sundrive Solar

Why Sundrive Solar exists

SunDrive Solar is an Australian PV-cell technology startup that replaces expensive silver contacts with copper in heterojunction silicon solar cells, lowering material costs while preserving or improving electrical performance. Its proprietary copper metallization process deposits copper directly onto silicon wafers, tackling one of the largest cost drivers in solar-cell manufacturing. The company is now moving from laboratory R&D to pilot-scale and eventual commercial production, backed by strategic partnerships with Chinese manufacturers and a manufacturing joint venture with Trina Solar. Recent organisational changes, including targeted job cuts, reflect its shift toward core technology development and scaled manufacturing collaborations. Financially, SunDrive has relied on government and strategic funding rather than disclosed revenues; it previously received AU$11 million from ARENA and has now secured a further AU$25.3 million to industrialise its process. The new capital will fund pilot facilities, equipment purchases, process optimisation, and workforce development needed to demonstrate commercial viability. By focusing on domestic manufacturing capability, the company aligns with Australia’s goal of reducing reliance on imported photovoltaic components.