Inside the Hunter Valley Solar Foundry and the workforce being built around it
A new solar module manufacturing facility planned for Black Hill is drawing large public investment, creating hundreds of jobs, and linking training, supply chains and advanced manufacturing as the Hunter region reshapes its industrial base.
The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry is set to be built at Black Hill following a combined $171 million investment from the Australian and NSW governments. The project is funded under the Australian Government’s Solar Sunshot Program, with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency providing $151 million in conditional funding and the NSW Government committing up to $20 million.
Led by the Sunman Group, the foundry will be a 500 megawatt-per-year solar module manufacturing facility capable of producing up to 800,000 panels annually. It is described as the largest solar manufacturing project proposed in Australia to date.
Jobs, training and pathways into advanced manufacturing
Construction of the Solar Foundry is expected to create around 200 jobs, with more than 100 ongoing roles once the facility is operational. These positions are focused on advanced manufacturing and are intended to support workers transitioning from coal, gas and other established industries.
Sunman is working with TAFE NSW to deliver an advanced manufacturing training program covering solar production, robotics, automation and precision engineering. The project also includes plans for a First Nations employment pathway and a scholarship program for students studying clean energy disciplines.
These workforce initiatives are designed to ensure local workers can access training aligned with the facility’s operational needs and longer-term employment opportunities.
Manufacturing capability and local supply chains
The Black Hill facility will manufacture both Sunman’s lightweight polymer-based eArc modules and conventional glass solar modules. Where possible, the project intends to use local materials and suppliers.
In addition to producing Sunman products, the foundry is planned to operate as a contract manufacturing hub for other solar companies. This approach is intended to support domestic solar supply chains and expand onshore manufacturing capability.
The project is founded by Sunman Group founder Dr Zhengrong Shi, a University of New South Wales alumnus. While Sunman currently operates a one-gigawatt manufacturing facility in China and is building a 500 megawatt plant in the United States, the company has stated its intention to establish solar manufacturing capacity in Australia.
Industrial land, skills and infrastructure already in place
The Hunter Valley Solar Foundry draws on existing industrial land at Black Hill, along with established transport links and the region’s engineering and manufacturing workforce. These attributes are identified as central to supporting large-scale clean energy manufacturing in regions with a long industrial history.
The project reflects how new manufacturing industries can develop in regions traditionally associated with energy production.
"This is a big step forward for a Future Made in Australia, a big step forward for a Future Made in the Hunter, and a very good day for Australian manufacturing," said Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.
Part of the Solar Sunshot Program
The Solar Foundry is funded through the Solar Sunshot Program, which has a total allocation of up to $1 billion to support solar photovoltaic manufacturing across Australia.
ARENA is continuing to deliver the program through multiple funding rounds. Round 2, which focuses on inputs to modules and deployment, has $150 million allocated and remains open, with expressions of interest closing on 30 April 2026. The round supports commercial-scale manufacturing of solar PV components and deployment technologies that meet defined technology and commercial readiness levels.
