The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed an additional $95.4 million to the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, extending the centre’s research program out to 2033 and reinforcing Australia’s position as a global leader in solar PV innovation.
Led by the University of New South Wales, ACAP brings together a national consortium of research institutions, including the Australian National University, CSIRO Energy and CSIRO Manufacturing, the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney.
The new funding builds on more than a decade of collaboration between the country’s leading solar researchers and industry partners, with the aim of accelerating breakthroughs in high-efficiency solar cells and modules.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the investment would help Australia maintain its edge in solar innovation.
He said the funding backs the nation’s best researchers and helps turn Australian ideas into real-world technologies that can strengthen the clean energy system and create economic opportunity.
Through ACAP, Australia has delivered a series of globally recognised advances in solar technology, including major improvements in the efficiency, durability and cost of solar cells, as well as the development of next-generation tandem solar cells.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the investment would ensure Australia remains at the forefront of global solar innovation, with the country having some of the best solar researchers in the world, and ACAP being instrumental in turning that expertise into globally recognised breakthroughs.
Miller said that achieving ultra-low cost solar will continue to push the limits of cell efficiency, and that ACAP’s work is doing exactly that by helping deliver high-performance solar cell and module technologies that will reduce costs at scale.
He noted that this work underpins ARENA’s strategy to make solar the backbone of Australia’s net zero energy system, and is a critical enabler for decarbonising industries such as green metals, transport, fuel production and data centres.
Beyond technology development, the program plays a significant role in building Australia’s clean energy workforce, supporting researchers, engineers and PhD students while strengthening collaboration across the broader solar innovation ecosystem.
ACAP Executive Director Professor Renate Egan said the improvements in solar technology achieved over the past decade reflect a foundation of research, industry development and collaboration.
She said Australia is uniquely placed globally, both in its research leadership and its connection to industry.
Egan said the 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 next-generation solar technologies that will power a low-carbon future for the country.
