The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced up to $40 million in funding to support research and development aimed at achieving the Australian Government’s ultra-low cost solar stretch target.
The R&D funding round will be focused on projects that fit ARENA’s ambitious Solar 30 30 30 target: enhance solar cell efficiency to 30% and cut the overall cost of construction of utility-scale solar farms to 30% watt by 2030.
Expressions of interest for the Ultra Low Cost Solar R&D Funding Round will commence in February 2022.
ARENA will be accepting applications in two streams:
- Stream 1 – Cells and Modules.
- Stream 2 – Balance of system, operations and maintenance.
“Australia’s solar researchers have been leading the world for decades. Thirty years ago, UNSW researchers invented the PERC silicon solar cell, technology which today is the foundation of more than 80% of the world’s solar panels. That great work continues through ACAP, our universities and CSIRO as well as clean energy start-ups. Just a few months ago, SunDrive – a start-up founded by former UNSW students and now based in Sydney – created the world’s most efficient solar cell,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller.
“This $40 million R&D funding round will support Australia’s solar researchers and industry to get behind the target of Solar 30 30 30 and drive the innovation that will deliver ultra-low cost solar. Ultra-low cost solar will be a vital component in helping Australia move towards a lower cost, largely renewable electricity system and achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.”
For more information on how to apply, visit ARENA’s funding page.
