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The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed an additional $95.4 million in funding to the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), securing Australia’s global leadership in solar PV research and innovation.
Led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), ACAP is a world-leading centre bringing together a national consortium of research institutions, including the Australian National University, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO Energy and CSIRO Manufacturing), the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the University of Queensland, and the University of Sydney.
The funding will extend ACAP’s existing research program out to 2033, building on more than a decade of collaboration between Australia’s leading solar researchers and industry partners to accelerate breakthroughs in high efficiency solar cells and modules.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP said, “Australia helped lead the world in solar and we want to keep leading the world in the next wave of solar innovation.
“This funding backs our best researchers and helps turn Australian ideas into real-world technologies that can strengthen our clean energy system and create economic opportunity.
“Building more of this expertise here at home makes Australia stronger, more secure and better placed for the future.”
Through ACAP, Australia has delivered a series of globally-recognised advances in solar technology, including major improvements in the efficiency, durability and cost of solar, and the development of next‑generation tandem solar cells.
ARENA CEO, Darren Miller said the further investment would ensure Australia remains at the forefront of global solar innovation.
“Australia has some of the best solar researchers in the world and ACAP has been instrumental in turning that expertise into globally recognised breakthroughs,” Mr Miller said.
“If Australia is to achieve ultra low-cost solar, we need to keep pushing the limits of cell efficiency. ACAP’s work is doing exactly that, helping deliver high-performance solar cell and module technologies that will reduce costs at scale.
“This work underpins ARENA’s strategy to make solar the backbone of Australia’s net zero energy system and is a critical enabler for decarbonising industries like green metals, transport, fuel production and data centres.”
The program also plays a critical role in building Australia’s clean energy workforce, supporting researchers, engineers and PhD students while strengthening collaboration across the solar innovation ecosystem.
ACAP Executive Director, Professor Renate Egan described how improvements in solar technology over the last decade builds on foundational research, industry development and collaboration.
“Australia is uniquely placed, globally, in its research leadership and its connection to industry,” Professor Egan said.
“This significant investment provides a long-term research horizon and positions Australia to build on its success in developing the technologies and talent needed to deliver on next-generation solar technologies that will power a low-carbon future Australia.”
Read more about ARENA’s Ultra Low-Cost Solar priorities.
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