SunDrive, an Australian solar technology company based in Sydney, has entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) with Maxwell Technologies and Jiangsu Vistar Equipment Technology to co-develop and distribute commercial-scale direct-copper plating tools aimed at producing high-efficiency heterojunction (HJT) solar cells.
SunDrive has been pioneering copper-based metallization technology for photovoltaic (PV) cells, replacing traditional silver. In 2022, the company set a world record for solar cell efficiency, achieving 26.41% with a full-size silicon HJT solar cell using its copper-based technology. The company believes its advances in copper metallization could reduce solar installation costs by 20% to 30%.
Accelerating Solar Innovation and Commercialization
Natalie Malligan, CEO of SunDrive, emphasized that while the company’s core focus is on solar technology innovation, strategic partnerships with leading global equipment developers and manufacturers are crucial to accelerating the commercialization of its technology.
This latest agreement follows SunDrive’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Trinasolar, a major player in PV manufacturing, to explore the possibility of establishing domestic solar manufacturing in Australia. Additionally, SunDrive has teamed up with AGL Energy to explore the development of a solar panel factory at the site of the former Liddell coal-fired power station in New South Wales’ Hunter region.
Malligan stated that the partnership with Maxwell and Vistar marks a key milestone in advancing SunDrive’s technology from the pilot stage to commercial-scale deployment. She highlighted the importance of collaborating with established industry leaders to bring their copper-based solar technology to market globally.
The Shift from Silver to Copper
SunDrive stressed that the shift from silver to copper in solar manufacturing is essential for the industry’s future. As silver prices rise and supply chains face increasing pressure, copper presents a scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative. The collaboration with Maxwell and Vistar addresses one of the key material constraints of HJT technology, ensuring its long-term viability and mass adoption.
Maxwell Technologies, the world’s largest manufacturer of HJT solar cell production equipment, currently supplies over 80% of the installed capacity for HJT solar cells worldwide. Its clients include major solar manufacturers such as Tongwei Solar, Trina Solar, Longi, JA Solar, Jinko, and Canadian Solar. Vistar, on the other hand, specializes in designing and manufacturing solar production equipment, including wet chemical processing and automation tools for next-generation solar technologies.
A Shared Vision for Solar Advancements
Maxwell Chairman Zhou Jian expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating that it would build on the existing relationship between the two companies. He added that the partnership would deepen joint research and development (R&D) capabilities in copper plating and lead to breakthroughs in cell conversion efficiency, module power output, and mass producibility. This collaboration aims to propel HJT technology into the 780W-plus era, opening new frontiers for the solar industry.
Jian concluded, “Technological innovation is the cornerstone for the photovoltaic industry to overcome challenges and drive the future forward.”
By combining SunDrive’s cutting-edge copper metallization technology with Maxwell and Vistar’s industrialization expertise and global market reach, the partnership is positioned to significantly impact the solar industry, driving innovation, cost reduction, and scalability in both domestic and international manufacturing lines.
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