Australian solar manufacturer Tindo has announced a new partnership with Capral Aluminium, which will see the aluminium company provide extruded frames for Australian-made solar panels, with the potential for new onshore aluminium manufacturing to support Tindo’s proposed Gigafactory.
Tindo, Australia’s only maker of solar panels, has ordered its first consignment of aluminium frames from Australia’s largest extruder and distributor of aluminium products.
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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.
Tindo has been making solar panels in Adelaide since 2011, and also exports to Vietnam. Its panels have relied on imported components, however, with the company’s plan to increase its output to 1GW per annum, it has been seeking domestic suppliers who require large-scale volumes in order to invest in their own Australian manufacturing capabilities.
Capral Aluminium owns several aluminium plants in Australia and is a global pioneer in low-carbon ‘LoCAL’ aluminium products.
“We’re delighted to announce Capral Aluminium as a supplier of frames to our 425w ‘Walara’ rooftop panel,” Tindo Solar CEO 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 programs like Solar Sunshot, which we intend to apply for when the program opens.
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“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.”
Tindo says the $90-100 million Gigafactory facility will create 250 jobs and be capable of producing 7,000 panels per day, equivalent to 1GW of capacity per annum.
