The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched a new $60 million funding round for research and development (R&D) to find innovative solutions that make ultra low-cost solar a reality.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said, “Demand for renewable electricity is expected to increase significantly as Australia moves towards net zero. Ultra low-cost solar PV is a critical source of electricity to meet this demand and will be a crucial enabler of the energy transition.
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“ARENA has been at the forefront of investing in solar innovation since the Agency was established 13 years ago and has materially shifted the renewable energy landscape in Australia.
“Our ultra low-cost vision recognises that solar must be cheaper still to support and enable the renewable energy transition, especially if we are to decarbonise heavy industry and create new export industries. This funding round is seeking the pioneering innovation Australia is so well known for in solar PV to achieve that vision.”
The $60 million funding round reflects ARENA’s increased ambition for the next generation of innovation in solar PV through six focus areas across two streams:
• Stream 1: Cells and modules ($30 million)
o Increase efficiency
o Reduce cost
o Improve stability
• Stream 2: Balance of systems and operation and maintenance ($30 million)
o Reduce balance of system deployment costs
o Reduce operations and maintenance costs
o Other LCOE reduction or innovation to increase yield.
To date, ARENA has provided over $388 million to solar PV R&D and an additional $104 million to support the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP).
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This new funding round provides an opportunity for Australia’s leading universities, research groups, start-ups and entrepreneurs to make significant breakthroughs in achieving ARENA’s ultra low-cost solar vision of reducing the installed cost of solar to 30 cents per watt and bringing the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) below $20 per megawatt hour by 2030.
The Solar PV R&D funding round is now open. For more information on applying, visit the ARENA funding page.
