ARENA commits $95m to next-generation solar research

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed an additional $95.4 million to the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), extending the country's flagship solar research program through to 2033.

Led by the University of New South Wales, ACAP brings together a consortium of Australia's leading research institutions, including the Australian National University, CSIRO, Monash University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney.

The funding aims to accelerate the development of next-generation solar technologies, including high-efficiency solar cells, advanced modules and tandem solar cells, while reinforcing Australia's position as a global leader in photovoltaic.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the investment would help ensure Australia remains at the forefront of solar technology development.

"Australia helped lead the world in solar and we want to keep leading the world in the next wave of solar innovation," Bowen said.

"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," he said.

ARENA chief executive Darren Miller said continued investment in solar research was critical to lowering costs and supporting Australia's broader decarbonisation ambitions.

"If Australia is to achieve ultra low-cost solar, we need to keep pushing the limits of cell efficiency," Miller said.

"ACAP's work is doing exactly that, helping deliver high performance solar cell and module technologies that will reduce costs at scale," he said.

Miller noted the research would underpin ARENA's strategy of making solar the backbone of Australia's net-zero energy system, supporting the decarbonisation of industries including green metals, transport, fuel production and data centres.

Beyond technological development, the program is expected to support the next generation of clean energy researchers, engineers and PhD students.

ACAP executive director Renate Egan said the funding provides long-term certainty for Australia's solar research sector.

"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," Egan said.