ARENA backs robotics, software solar projects with USD 2.1m

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on Wednesday said it is providing AUD 3.2 million (USD 2.1m/EUR 1.9m) in funding to two solar projects focused on software and robotics to help reduce solar costs.

PV Lighthouse Pty Ltd will get AUD 1.97 million in backing for its SunSolve yield modelling software. The company will improve the software to increase the accuracy of power output forecasts and reduce uncertainty and risk during planning and development.

ARENA is also committing AUD 1.3 million to Built Robotics Australia Pty Ltd for a project to automate the pile driving processes in building utility-scale solar farms. According to the announcement, the design and piloting of first and second-generation prototype robots could reduce piling time and labour costs by 82% and 88%, respectively.

ARENA’s funding is expected to unlock over AUD 6.5 million in total investment across the two projects.

“Ultra low-cost solar is Australia’s key to achieving the renewable energy transition and reaching our net zero goals,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller.

ARENA aims to reduce installed solar costs to AUD 0.30 per watt and reach a levelised cost of electricity below AUD 20 per MWh by 2030. It is supporting innovations like the two projects through its AUD-100-million Solar ScaleUp Challenge.

(AUD 1 = USD 0.654/EUR 0.604)

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