newy.com.au – The federal government has committed $2.15 million to Newcastle-based Kardinia Energy Pty Ltd to support the establishment of a commercial pilot facility for recyclable solar technology in the Hunter region. Announced on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources in Shortland, the funding marks a significant step toward the large-scale production of innovative Australian-made energy solutions. The investment is being delivered through the Commonwealth’s Industry Growth Program, which provides small and medium enterprises with the advice and capital necessary to transition from development to commercialisation.
Senator Tim Ayres, the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Science, joined Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon to announce the grant at the University of Newcastle facility. Claydon noted that the company has been under observation for over a decade and described it as being ready to fly as it shifts into commercial production. The $2,152,151 grant is intended to help Kardinia scale its operations, increasing production throughput and module efficiency while enabling early market demonstrations and customer validation.
The technology behind Kardinia’s printed solar has been in development at the University of Newcastle for more than 25 years. Unlike traditional solar panels, which can weigh approximately 20kg per square metre, this ultra-thin, flexible material weighs only about 300 grams per square metre. This lightweight profile makes it an ideal solution for commercial and industrial sites where roof limitations or weight constraints make conventional systems impractical. Professor Paul Dastoor, a lead researcher on the project, explained that the technology utilizes electronic inks processed through equipment similar to a wine label printer and is 100 per cent recyclable.
The planned roll-to-roll manufacturing facility in the Hunter Valley is expected to create skilled local jobs and foster the growth of supporting industries as production scales. The University of Newcastle has highlighted the technology’s versatility, noting its previous use in powering Coldplay’s global concert tours. With equipment expected to arrive within nine months, the facility is projected to be operational in 18 months, with a commercial product anticipated to hit the market within approximately two years.
