ARENA grants $95.4 million to boost Australian solar research

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced an additional investment of $95.4 million for the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP). The funding extends ACAP’s research programme to 2033 and raises ARENA’s total support for the centre to more than $220 million.

ACAP is a consortium led by the University of New South Wales and includes CSIRO, the Australian National University, Monash, Melbourne, Queensland and Sydney universities. Its work focuses on high‑efficiency solar cells, next‑generation tandem technologies and reducing the cost of solar modules.

ARENA chief executive Darren Miller said the new money will help Australia stay at the forefront of ultra‑low‑cost solar. Climate‑change minister Chris Bowen stressed the investment will keep the country a global leader in solar innovation, while ACAP executive director Professor Renate Egan noted the long‑term horizon will strengthen the workforce needed for a low‑carbon energy future.