Australia to support PV research centre with USD 31m till 2030

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on Friday announced up to AUD 45 million (USD 31.1m/EUR 29.5m) in funding for the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) to continue its solar photovoltaic (PV) research operations till 2030.

ACAP is led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), whose professor Martin Green has been called the “father of modern photovoltaics.” The centre encompasses research groups at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Sydney and Monash University.

ACAP’s aim is to provide for a coordinated, national approach to PV research. Its work supports ARENA’s Solar 30 30 30 goal of 30% PV cell efficiency and AUD 0.30 per watt cost of installing solar modules by 2030.

According to ARENA chief executive Darren Miller, the funding would allow ACAP to keep its position as one of the top solar research centres in the world.

“Ultra low cost solar will be key to enabling Australia’s energy transition and emissions reduction efforts, as it will help to lower the input costs for green hydrogen, low emissions metals and other large scale clean energy opportunities across all sectors as we move to net zero,” Miller also said.

Earlier in 2022, ARENA unveiled a AUD-40-million competitive funding round for ultra low cost solar research and development.

The award of the newly announced funding is subject to the signing of a funding agreement on terms acceptable to the government.

(AUD 1 = USD 0.690/EUR 0.656)

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