Billionaire mining and energy entrepreneur Andrew Forrest is spearheading a move to improve Australia’s solar manufacturing industry. Despite an estimated 22.3 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity across Australia, the sun-laden nation does not have the capability to manufacture its own solar panel components, with 90 percent of Australia’s solar panels made in China. TindoSolar, Australia’s only solar panel assembler, utilises components made in China. However, Forrest’s clean-energy-focused Fortescue Futures Industry (FFI) has begun drawing up plans for a 1 GW solar factory in Australia that could undercut demand for the product typically made in China. In particular, the factory would produce unique “Powerfoil” solar panels that claim to be versatile in use, energy efficient, and cost effective. “We aim to rapidly drive costs down at a greater rate than is achievable with conventional Solar PV technology,” FFI Chief Executive Officer Julie Shuttleworth said in a media release. FFI’s plans come after …