The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced up to $105.6 million in funding for 20 research and development projects aimed at reducing the cost of designing, building, operating and maintaining large-scale solar farms.
According to ARENA, the investment is its largest single commitment to solar photovoltaic research and development and supports projects focused on improving the efficiency, cost and stability of advanced solar cells and modules, as well as reducing the levelised cost of electricity from solar farms.
The funding builds on ARENA’s ultra low-cost solar ambition, which aims to reduce installed solar costs to 30 cents per watt by 2030.
ARENA acting CEO Chris Faris said the projects were intended to address challenges across the solar technology value chain.
“Australia has played a leading role in the development of solar technology, and these projects will help ensure we continue to strengthen that position,” Faris said.
“The portfolio brings together a mix of near-term improvements and breakthrough technologies that have the potential to lower costs, improve performance and accelerate the deployment of solar energy both in Australia and around the world.”
The projects are divided into two streams. The first focuses on solar cells and modules, including efforts to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve stability. The second covers balance-of-system technologies and operations and maintenance, with projects targeting lower deployment and maintenance costs and improved solar energy yields.
Recipients include the Australian National University, UNSW, the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney and several companies, including Sunspence Pty Ltd and Proa Energy Australia Pty Ltd.
Faris said ARENA increased the funding pool from its initial allocation of $60 million following the response to the funding round.
“ARENA initially allocated $60 million to the Ultra Low-Cost Solar PV Research and Development Funding Round,” he said. “When we saw the quality of applications, we decided to increase funding to support a broader portfolio of high-quality projects that can help accelerate progress towards ultra low-cost solar.”
The funded projects include research into perovskite and silicon tandem cells, solar module durability, artificial intelligence-assisted materials discovery, utility-scale PV reliability and solar farm operations and maintenance.
According to ARENA, the portfolio is intended to support innovation across the solar value chain as Australia seeks to reduce the cost of solar-generated electricity.
