Australian PV cell innovator SunDrive Solar confirms job cuts as it ‘sharpens focus’

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Australian PV cell technology startup SunDrive Solar has revealed that it has undergone a restructuring of the company, resulting in job cuts, as it looks to “sharpen its focus on solar innovation”.

SunDrive’s novel solar cell technology replaces the silver traditionally used in solar cell production with copper, a material that is orders of magnitude cheaper and more abundant than silver. Using copper for solar metallisation could result in solar module production that is cheaper and more efficient than current standards.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The use of silver is projected to become a concern for the PV industry. By 2050, it is forecasted that solar manufacturing will consume up to 98% of the world’s silver reserves if silver continues to be a prominent metal component. Copper is easier to recycle than silver and requires less energy.

Based in South Sydney, New South Wales, the company received AU$11 million (US$7.6 million) from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) last year. The restructuring will help streamline the organisation’s operations, improve solar technology, and navigate a commercial route to market through partnerships.

In a statement released this week, the company said: “SunDrive has undertaken a strategic review of its business to prepare the company for its next phase of commercialisation and sharpen its focus on where we see the greatest opportunity, solar innovation.

“SunDrive is supporting all affected employees through this process. This decision was not made lightly but we believe it is necessary to support SunDrive’s long-term success in continuing to deliver world-leading solar technology breakthroughs.”

As part of the restructuring, SunDrive’s co-founder and CEO, Vince Allen, will become SunDrive’s chief technology officer. To support this transition, Natalie Malligan, who had been the company’s chief operating officer, will step into the role of CEO to help manage SunDrive’s broader business strategy.

“SunDrive remains committed to building on Australia’s long and proud history of solar innovation and contributing to the growth and success of the Australian solar industry,” the company said.

Earlier this year, SunDrive partnered with Australian electricity retailer AGL Energy to explore the possibility of building a commercial-scale solar PV manufacturing facility in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley.

Confirmed by the two companies at the time, the feasibility study with SunDrive will outline key infrastructure and engineering requirements and identify the regulatory approvals and licences necessary for the development, construction, and operation of a solar PV manufacturing facility located in the Hunter Energy Hub Advanced Manufacturing Precinct. SunDrive plans to manufacture its solar cells at the AGL Hunter Energy Hub should the feasibility study be successful.

Read Next

September 12, 2025
Colombian energy supplier Celsia is seeking more than US$1.2 billion in investment to build wind and solar generation projects in Peru. 
September 12, 2025
ACME Venus Urja has secured INR3.8 billion (US$43 million) to develop and construct a solar-plus-storage project in Barmer, Rajasthan.
September 11, 2025
Founder Group has won a RM10 million (US$2.3 million) engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract for a 30MW solar plant in Malaysia.
September 11, 2025
Madison Energy Infrastructure has raised US$800 million to accelerate the deployment of clean energy assets across the US. 
September 11, 2025
Constant Energy has secured THB300 million (US$9.4 million) in green financing from HSBC to expand large-scale solar and battery storage projects in Thailand. 
September 11, 2025
Solar power generation in Central Europe has grown at more than twice the EU average rate since 2019, according to new figures.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines