Tindo, Australia’s only manufacturer of solar panels, today celebrated five years of exporting to Vietnam with another successful shipment delivered in the first quarter of 2024.

Richard Petterson, Tindo CEO, made the export announcement during an address at the Australia-Vietnam Green Economy Summit, which is led by Asialink and Climateworks Centre and supported by the Australian Government. The is dedicated to fostering sustainable development, job creation, growth, and the transition to renewable resources and net-zero emissions.

Tindo has a strong relationship with customers in Vietnam and has been fulfilling orders since 2019 as the Southeast Asian nation pursues a policy of energy-independence. The exports demonstrate the demand for high quality panels across the region.

Tindo has been making solar panels in Adelaide, South Australia, since 2011, where it has the capacity to produce 360,000 panels annually, the equivalent of 150MW, at its manufacturing site. However, the company has ambitious plans to construct a $100m factory that could increase its output by 1GW per year, with a significant proportion of that capacity earmarked for exports to neighbouring countries hungry to diversify their renewables supply chains.

Mr Petterson said, “It is wonderful to be in Vietnam, where we continue to build our export markets and ensure Australian Made products play a role in our region’s energy transition. As well as supporting Vietnam, this brings export revenue back to Australia, supporting jobs and economic growth.

“This Summit shows the deep and strengthening connection between the two nations and the huge opportunity for increasing bilateral trade that grows our economies while reducing emissions. Our experts show that there are global markets for Australian-made panels, and with short-term government support to scale, we are confident we can expand our manufacturing footprint. In doing so, we can reduce our cost of production and provide panels to even more customers at home and overseas, and ensure Australia enjoys more of the economic benefits of the energy transition.”

Leigh Howard, CEO of Asialink Business, said, “The growing partnership between Australia and Vietnam, coupled with Vietnam’s roadmap for energy transition, presents a window of opportunity for Australian businesses. I strongly encourage businesses to build their understanding of Vietnam’s current market landscape so they are equipped to seize the opportunities on offer.”