The Australian government has invested $45 million in a cutting-edge photovoltaic research program launched by the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) headquartered at UNSW Sydney.
With the latest funding, the research project will be allowed to extend operations until 2030.
Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy announced the latest funding and paid homage to Professor Martin Green, who is often described as the father of modern photovoltaics (PV).
“As a country, we need to meet our emission targets, but we can also help the rest of the world. That will be because of the innovation, the science, the cutting-edge technology that happens right here and at other universities, but no place more than here at UNSW,” Bowen said.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) spearheaded ACAP, a federally funded initiative led by UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. The program also involves research teams from CSIRO, Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Sydney, and Monash University.
ACAP is aimed at delivering an institutional framework for Australia’s coordinated national approach to solar PV research and seeks to provide cutting-edge PV technology that will help develop solutions for increased performance and ongoing cost reduction.
The research program also supports ARENA’s Solar 30 30 30 initiative, which seeks to boost PV cell efficiency to 30 per cent and reduce the cost of installation of solar modules to 30 cents per watt by 2030.
“ARENA is excited to continue its long-standing support to the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics and help deliver further cost reductions in silicon PV, as well as develop the next generation of solar technologies with the potential to transform the industry,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller.
