Hidden within dense bushland on the outskirts of southern Sydney lies a sprawling facility where SunDrive Solar, an Australian company, has achieved a major technological breakthrough.
Here, SunDrive Solar develops its “special sauce”: a top-secret formula that addresses what it calls “a very high value problem.”
Their groundbreaking innovation? They’ve found a way to replace silver in solar cells with copper, a feat previously believed to be impossible.
“Silver is costly, rare, and environmentally harmful, limiting global solar deployment,” explains Maia Schweizer, Chief Commercial Officer of SunDrive Solar. “Copper, while also in high demand, is 1,000 times more abundant and 100 times cheaper.”
SunDrive Solar is among the recipients of the government’s Future Made in Australia initiative, a series of policies designed to transform the country into a “renewable energy superpower” by supporting local green industries.
However, some experts question whether the $A22.7bn ($15bn; £11.8bn) package—comprising tax incentives, loans, and grants—is sufficient to achieve these ambitious goals.
Climate scientists emphasize that for Australia to become a significant player in the transition to net zero emissions, it must reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Australia’s economy has historically relied on natural resources like coal, gas, and iron ore. Yet, the country often exports critical minerals in raw form, which are then refined overseas, mainly in China.
This “dig-and-ship” approach has earned Australia a reputation as the world’s primary source of raw materials, missing out on higher-value stages of production.
Lithium provides a stark example. Despite being the largest global supplier, Australia captures only 0.5% of the $57bn lithium battery market, according to the national science agency.
The Future Made in Australia policy, announced in April, aims to reverse this trend by offering tax incentives and loans to companies willing to process critical minerals domestically.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describes this initiative as essential for national security, as countries seek to reduce dependency on Beijing and secure their supply chains against disruptions.
“This is not protectionism or isolationism—it’s about embracing new competition,” said Prime Minister Albanese. “We must set ambitious goals, think boldly, and make substantial investments to seize the opportunities ahead.”