Barry Cinnamon, Westinghouse chief executive, says the Australian market "is developing very much the same way as the US.

"These cooperative efforts will help us extend our technology and distribution partnerships on a larger international scale," he continues. "In particular, this partnership will allow us to extend our Westinghouse Solar brand to Australia."

The US maker of solar PV equipment with racking, wiring and grounding built in to the panel says it will use the cash to fund growth in the US market.

Gerry