*A 2022 update on MSquare’s status here.
Joining South Australia’s Tindo Solar in the Australian made and owned solar manufacturing game, Sydney-based MSquare Energy (MSquare) claims to have ambitions of becoming the largest solar panel manufacturer in Australia with a fully automated facility.
In what will be news to few, Sydney is currently in strict Covid-19 lockdown, meaning pv magazine Australia is not currently able to visit the MSquare’s facility, located in the western Sydney suburb of Toongabbie.
However, what we know from an MSquare statement is that it’s currently claiming a 300 MW manufacturing capacity through fully-automatic assembly factory making panels up to 445W, with plans to bring M10 panels up to 590W all black into the line by October 2021.
MSquare says it has already begun exporting some of its products to the United States, and has purchased a site in Kelso, near Bathurst, for a second manufacturing facility which it says will triple manufacturing capacity.
According to MSquare, its “business goal is to become the leading solar panel manufacturing company in Australia”, an ambitious goal considering Tindo Solar secured $1 million federal funding in June to help it transition to new M10 cell technology and boost production capacity with a new $6 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Adelaide nearing completion.
What can be said for certain is that Australian module manufacturing industry is at a pivotal stage of development, and that MSquare is throwing its hat in the ring.
Update: MSquare claimed that its panels were CEC approved, but the CEC has told pv magazine Australia that MSquare was delisted in 2020 for “failure to meet the specified power rating in Clean Energy Council testing.” However “all corrective actions required to be completed after their de-listing were addressed, and a new application for listing was processed earlier this year.” This is an evolving story with more pv magazine Australia coverage to come.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
This sounds pretty final for them…latest CER release 2/5/22
RET registered person suspended
In March 2022 we permanently suspended MSquare Energy Pty Ltd (as a registered person) and its REC Registry account on the basis that it is no longer fit and proper under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000. The directors of MSquare were officeholders of two agents that had been permanently suspended (More Green Energy Pty Ltd and More Tile and Ceramics Pty Ltd).
If any officeholders attempt to re-enter the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme through different companies we will take prior suspensions into account and may refuse registration.
Information concerning registered persons and agents, including those currently suspended, can be found by searching Registered persons on the REC Registry.
Hi Andrew, yes we saw this from CER. It’s certainly an interesting progression and we are investigating. Stay tuned!
Hi Andrew/Bella,
Read the above article and your responses. Just wanted to inquire more if they are still CEC certified and suspension has been lifted on Msquare Energy.
Hi Satish,
No I don’t believe that suspension has been lifted. In 2022, the Clean Energy Regulator permanently suspended MSquare Energy and their Renewable Energy Certificates Registry, saying it was no longer fit and proper under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000. The suspension came into effect on March 11, 2022. More details here: https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2022/04/01/msquare-energys-solar-modules-de-listed-by-cec/