SunDrive closes funding round to help commercialise solar cell technology using copper

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The technology, which uses copper instead of silver, managed to reach a conversion efficiency of 26.41% last month. Image: Pixabay

Australian solar technology start-up SunDrive has secured A$21 million (US$13.2 million) in a Series A fund that will help commercialise its solar technology.

The company has replaced silver with copper to improve solar panel efficiency while driving down costs due to the lower prices of copper.

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

Silver shortages could become an issue for the industry in the future due to demand in 2030 potentially exceeding 30% of the total global silver production in 2020, up from about 10% today, according to the International Energy Agency.

“The solar cells needed to decarbonise the world will need to be more efficient, cheaper and scalable than they are today. The use of silver is the common denominator and is holding back the rapid advancements needed to transition to a solar-powered electric world,” said co-founder and CEO at SunDrive, Vince Allen.

With SunDrive’s patented technology copper is used as a conductive material to pull the electrical current from the cells.

The start-up recorded a cell efficiency of 26.07% on a commercial-size heterojunction (HJT) cell through a collaboration with equipment manufacturer Maxwell Technologies earlier this year.

Last month, SunDrive increased the efficiency of a full-size silicon HJT solar cell to 26.41%.

The Series A funding round was led by Australia’s state-run renewable energy financier Clean Energy Finance Corp (CEFC) – which made a A$7 million commitment through the Innovation Fund managed by Virescent Ventures – alongside Main Sequence Ventures. The funding also received private investments from Blackbird Ventures and Grok Ventures.

Ian Learmonth, CEO at CEFC, said: “The technology has the potential to revolutionise the onshore production of solar cells and the development of an Australian solar manufacturing industry.”

Ensuring a domestic manufacturing capacity in Australia would increase the country’s resilience to supply chain disruptions and accelerate the uptake of solar PV in the country, added Learmonth.

Read Next

Premium
October 2, 2025
Australia's solar sector delivered a strong September performance in the National Electricity Market (NEM) as the country entered spring, with combined solar PV generation reaching 3,933GWh - a 17.83% increase from August's 3,338GWh.
October 2, 2025
FRV Australia has announced the completion of its largest solar project to date, the 300MW Walla Walla Solar Farm in New South Wales.
October 1, 2025
Engie Australia's 250MW Goorambat East Solar Farm has registered with AEMO, marking the project’s readiness for the commissioning phase.
September 30, 2025
SynergyRED, a wholly owned subsidiary of Synergy, has submitted a development application for a 2GW hybrid renewable energy project in Western Australia's Mid-West Region.
September 29, 2025
Fortescue has established a strategic partnership with Chinese solar manufacturing giant LONGi to supply solar PV modules as part of its ‘Real Zero’ emissions by 2030 strategy.
September 29, 2025
Australia's CER has disclosed that 1.5GW of new renewable energy capacity in the NEM received authorisation in the second quarter of 2025.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland